New Covid Strain: If you have recently been feeling unwell with a sore throat and fever, chances are you may have caught one of the new COVID strains spreading this autumn. The variants XFG, also being called Stratus, and NB.1.8.1, nicknamed Nimbus, are currently the most common types of coronavirus circulating across the UK and the US.A recent study now suggests that one particular symptom caused by these new strains might last for life. While a hoarse or rough voice has emerged as a new and widely seen sign of infection, most other symptoms remain the same as those reported in earlier waves.COVID Symptoms 2025: What Makes the New Strain Different?As winter draws closer, many people are experiencing cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, and mild fever. In many cases, these are now being linked to COVID-19, as infection rates have risen to some of the highest levels seen this year.The XFG strain, a sub-variant of the Omicron family, was first detected in January and has now become the dominant strain in the UK. Data from the UKHSA show that XFG accounts for around 38.3% of all COVID cases, while its subtype, XFG.3, makes up roughly 32.8%. Combined, the Stratus variant is now connected to more than 60% of global COVID cases, according to the WHO.The Symptom That Could Last For LifeLoss of smell was one of the hallmark symptoms of earlier COVID infections. However, new research has found that for many people, this problem never completely goes away. A study led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) discovered that two years after infection, nearly 80% of participants who had reported a change in their sense of smell still performed poorly in scent-recognition tests. Around one in four had severe smell loss or had lost the ability entirely.Dr. Leora Horwitz, one of the study’s lead authors, explained that the loss of smell can deeply affect daily life and emotional health. She added that it can even become dangerous, since people may not detect smoke, gas leaks, or spoiled food. The problem occurs due to inflammation in the olfactory system triggered by the virus, she said.The research compared thousands of individuals who had previously tested positive for COVID with those who had not. Participants were asked to identify 40 different scents in a multiple-choice test to measure the level of impairment.Unique Symptoms of New COVID Strain in UKThe Stratus variant shows a slightly different pattern of illness compared to earlier versions. While symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue remain common, doctors have noticed new signs such as a hoarse or raspy voice.This strain follows Nimbus, which has been linked to extremely painful sore throats described as feeling like “razor blades.” Other possible symptoms of Stratus include shortness of breath, chest tightness, body aches, headaches, nausea, stomach upset, loss of appetite, brain fog, and sometimes a change in taste or smell, though the latter is now less frequent.Health experts advise seeking medical help if any of these symptoms persist or worsen. Treatment options may include antiviral medicines, rest, and over-the-counter remedies for symptom relief.Although global tracking of COVID cases has slowed since free testing ended, available data show infections have again surged to high levels. UKHSA reports that nearly 9% of all COVID tests conducted in early September were positive, the highest rate recorded since last November. Among samples taken at general practices, 10.8% tested positive, while hospital testing showed 8.9% positivity.
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