A new Covid variant called XFG, circulating online as 'American Covid' or 'Stratus Covid', is being tracked across the United Kingdom. Hospitalisations linked to the variant have risen more than 400% in a single month, according to coverage by 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.