A new Covid variant called XFG, tagged on social media as 'American Covid' or 'Stratus Covid', is spreading in the United Kingdom. Hospitalisations linked to the variant have risen more than 400% in a single month, according to reports from outlets including The Independent and the Daily Mirror.

Health media in the UK and India are flagging the variant as one that can persist for weeks at a time, with two symptoms drawing particular attention online. Officials have yet to issue formal advice, but the sharp increase in hospitalisations has triggered warnings on health and news platforms.