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 not yet released detailed guidance, but the rapid rise in hospital cases has triggered warnings on health and news platforms.