Notably, though, COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths are lower than a year ago. ECDC data also shows the XFG variant – nicknamed stratus – is most common in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein ...

CDC wastewater also shows the XFG variant — nicknamed stratus — is most common in the U.S. Stratus can cause a “razor blade” sore throat and is considered a “variant under monitoring” by the World ...