A new Covid variant called XFG, circulating online 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 getting significant focus on social platforms. Officials have yet to issue formal advice, but the rapid rise in hospital cases has triggered warnings on health and news platforms.