New covid symptom as virus is on the rise

Stratus variant could give hoarse or raspy voice before other signs

- By OWEN EVANS, RYAN FAHEY

A NEW Covid variant is now dominant in Wales, and patients have reported one key early symptom to look out for.

‘The Stratus variant of Covid is now thought to be the cause of most new cases of the virus.

‘The variant, known officially as XFG, accounted for an average of 34% of recorded cases in Wales in a four-week period up to the week of August 18.

A subvariant, named as XFG.3, accounted for 27% of cases over the same period.

Over the summer, they became the two dominant strains in the country, according to Public Health Wales data.

The World Health Organisation said Stratus is a “variant under monitoring.” It is not thought the new variant produces a more severe illness, but it can spread faster than earlier strains.