A new Covid variant called XFG, tagged on social media as 'American Covid' or 'Stratus Covid', is being tracked across the United Kingdom. Hospitalisations connected to XFG 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 last several weeks, 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.