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 raising concerns as one that can persist for weeks at a time, with two symptoms drawing particular attention online. Officials have yet to issue formal advice, but the rapid rise in hospital cases has triggered warnings on health and news platforms.