Brief
UK health agency reports rise in “American Covid” strain and hospital admissions
The UKHSA says the Stratus (XFG) variant now accounts for over half of positive hospital tests and hospital admissions are up sharply.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Monday that the “American Covid” strain, also known as Stratus or XFG, is responsible for a surge in positive tests and hospital admissions across England.
What happened
Positive Covid‑19 tests in hospitals rose from 5.9% to 7.0% in September, while overall hospital admission rates for Covid‑19 increased by almost 50%. London saw the steepest rise, with admissions up 79%.
What the reports add
More than half of the positive hospital tests were identified as the XFG variant, first detected in January and later classified by the World Health Organisation as a mix of earlier LF.7 and LP.8.1 variants. The agency noted that people over 85 had the highest admission rate, climbing to 12.43 per 100,000, up from 7.08 the previous week.
What was said
Alex Allen, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, told The Independent, “While Covid‑19 activity has shown some recent increases, cases remain at low levels in the UK. UKHSA is monitoring all the data relating to Covid‑19 variants in the UK and abroad, and we continue to publish our findings in our regular surveillance reports.”
Dr Matthew Siggins, lecturer in immunity and infection biology at the University of Surrey, said the rise was “not a reason for alarm” because many remain protected by prior infection and vaccination, adding, “There is no evidence that variants currently circulating in the UK are causing more severe disease.”
How it came about
The Stratus strain has been circulating for a year, and the winter vaccine this season is specifically designed to target it and its sub‑variants. Health officials continue to urge eligible groups – people aged 75, care‑home residents and the immunosuppressed – to take the autumn booster.
Key facts
- Positive hospital Covid tests rose from 5.9% to 7.0% in September (independent.co.uk)
- Hospital admissions for Covid-19 increased by almost 50%, with London up 79% (independent.co.uk)
- Over half of positive hospital tests were the XFG (Stratus) variant (independent.co.uk)
- People over 85 had the highest admission rate at 12.43 per 100,000 (independent.co.uk)
- UKHSA says the winter vaccine is tailored to the Stratus strain (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “‘American Covid’ strain sees resurgence in England as hospitalisations rise”
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