XFG COVID Variant Raises Concern in UK: Symptoms, Risk and What Experts Say
The COVID-19 pandemic may be behind us, but SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate and evolve. New variants and recombinant lineages can emerge as the virus changes over time. One of the variants currently being monitored is XFG, which is also being referred to as “Stratus” in some reports.XFG has drawn attention amid reports of rising COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations in the UK. However, current evidence does not suggest that the variant causes more severe disease than other circulating variants. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies XFG as a Variant Under Monitoring and has assessed its additional global public health risk as low.
What is the XFG Variant?
According to the WHO, XFG is a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variant involving the LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 lineages. The earliest documented sample was collected on January 27, 2025, and the WHO designated XFG as a Variant Under Monitoring in June 2025.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms associated with XFG can be similar to those seen with other COVID-19 infections. These may include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, runny nose and fatigue. Some people may also experience muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms and other complaints. Severe symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain or confusion require prompt medical attention.
Who Needs to Be More Careful?
Older adults and people with underlying health conditions remain more vulnerable to severe COVID-19. However, there is currently no clear evidence that XFG itself causes more severe illness than other circulating variants. WHO also expects currently recommended COVID-19 vaccines to continue providing protection against symptomatic and severe disease.The latest evidence therefore suggests that people should remain aware of COVID-19 activity without treating the current XFG situation as a return to the early pandemic period.
