(NewsNation) — As the weather begins to change and respiratory illnesses become more common, a highly transmissible strain of COVID-19 is on the rise across the United States.
Nineteen states are seeing “high” or “very high” levels of the XFG COVID-19 variant, known as Stratus, in wastewater, according to CDC data. Nevada, Utah, Connecticut and Delaware reported the highest levels.
The Stratus, variant was initially detected in Southeast Asia in January. The first cases of the variant were identified in the U.S. in March and it took several months for Stratus to surpass the Nimbus variant and become the dominant strain in COVID cases in the U.S.
Stratus infections surged over the summer and continue to rise heading into the fall. In a recent four-week period that ended on Sept. 27, Stratus accounted for an estimated 85% of U.S. COVID cases, according to the CDC’s Nowcast estimates.
What are the symptoms of Stratus?
Many symptoms of the Stratus variant are similar to those of earlier COVID variants, according to Stony Brook Medicine.
The most frequent symptoms include:
- Persistent, dry cough
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Fever
Other symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Headaches and body aches
- Upset stomach, nausea, or loss of appetite
- Loss of taste or smell (now less common)
- Brain fog or trouble concentrating
Prevention and treatment of the Stratus variant don’t differ from those of other COVID-19 viruses.
Previously approved COVID vaccines should remain effective against the new variant, according to the WHO.
Shifting Covid-19 guidelines
A vaccine advisory panel recently voted not to recommend COVID vaccinations for anyone and instead recommended that Americans make individual decisions themselves after talking with their doctor. This marked a shift from previous recommendations that all Americans get vaccinated yearly.
Although this is still only a recommendation pending approval from the CDC director, the change in guidance has caused confusion about vaccine eligibility for patients and medical providers. For more information on vaccine access, people should consult their healthcare provider.
In August, the Food and Drug Administration restricted Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax vaccines for COVID to those over the age of 65 and people under 65 who have certain health conditions that make them more vulnerable.
In May, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. Still, some public health experts continue to question the guidance.
NewsNation’s Steph Whiteside contributed to this report.