A newly emerging Covid strain is rapidly spreading across Ireland, leading to a noticeable rise in cases and bringing with it some unexpected symptoms that could catch people off guard, reports The Mirror.
In the last week, 481 fresh infections were confirmed nationwide — a jump from 425 the week before. Health officials attribute this surge largely to the XFG variant, commonly referred to as Stratus, which now makes up 73% of all confirmed Covid cases in the country.
Recent figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) show Dublin reported the highest number of new cases with 110, followed by Cork with 55, and Limerick at 47. In contrast, Laois recorded zero cases, while Roscommon had two, and Carlow and Mayo each recorded three, reports The Mirror.
The World Health Organization has listed Stratus as a “variant under monitoring.” While it doesn’t appear to be more dangerous in terms of illness severity, it is spreading faster than previous versions — a pattern seen in Ireland’s rising case numbers.
What sets this variant apart is the unusual early symptoms that some patients are reporting. Dr Kader, who shares medical tips on his TikTok account @ask.doctor.k, explained that this strain affects more than just the respiratory system.
He said: “Here’s what you need to know about the new Covid variant. It’s called Stratus or XFG, and actually the symptoms are a little bit different when compared to the previous variants, reports The Mirror.
“The new variant seems to be starting with ear, nose and throat symptoms, so most people are complaining about a really hoarse voice or a super sore throat. It also seems to present with more GI symptoms. A lot of people are complaining about nausea, vomiting, bloating \[and] acid reflux.”
He went on to say that although Stratus tends to cause “milder” illness, it’s notably more infectious. He added: “You may have noticed that everyone is getting sick this week, and we’ve seen a huge rise in Covid cases in hospital patients, and part of the reason why infections are spreading fast is because the weather is changing, it’s getting a bit colder, people are staying indoors more and just passing the bugs to each other,” reports The Mirror.
To help reduce transmission, Dr Kader recommends three important steps:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Keep your home well ventilated
- Consider wearing a mask in crowded settings
He also stressed the importance of staying home if you feel sick, at least until your symptoms begin to ease. This advice aligns closely with Ireland’s official Covid-19 guidelines. The HSE states: “If you have any symptoms of Covid and feel unwell, you should: stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid. You do not need a Covid test unless a GP or health professional tells you to,” reports The Mirror.
Although Stratus is linked to unusual digestive issues in some cases, the HSE urges the public to remain aware of all 18 recognised Covid symptoms, which include:
- High temperature (38°C or above), possibly with chills
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Loss or change of taste or smell
- Runny or blocked nose
- Conjunctivitis (red or pink eye)
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle or joint aches
- Skin rashes
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Chest pain or pressure
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