​Is COVID-19 back again? ‘American Covid’ is on the rise in UK, with cases of hospitalization: Early signs, risk factors, prevention and management explained​

We won’t sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.

COVID-19 might not be at the center of our lives the way it was a few years ago, but it’s not gone. Far from it, actually. As temperatures drop across the UK, the number of people testing positive and ending up in hospital is ticking up again. Right now, a lot of the chatter isn’t about just any version of the virus, but a variant people have dubbed ‘American Covid’, or Stratus. It may sound somewhat dramatic, but the situation isn’t quite so dire.

So, what’s really happening with ‘American Covid’, or XFG? First of all, it’s important to clarify: this is not some brand-new, supercharged strain. Its official name is XFG, and virologists have been tracking it internationally for over a year. The World Health Organization is keeping an eye on it, but hasn’t labeled it a variant of concern. Basically, it’s being watched, not feared.

Lately, though, the uptick in cases has turned heads. Recent UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) numbers show that hospital admissions for Covid in England climbed from 0.81 to 1.20 per 100,000 people in one week. The proportion of positive Covid tests in hospitals rose, too; from 5.9% to 7%. In London, the jump was especially sharp, with admissions rocketing up by nearly 80%. Still, experts say these numbers are nowhere near what we saw during the worst peaks of the pandemic, and there’s no sign that XFG is causing more severe symptoms than earlier Omicron variants.

Well, for starters: ‘American Covid’ is just a catchy headline. XFG is the actual variant, and it belongs to the Omicron family. It didn’t pop up overnight; the first sample showed up as far back as January of 2025. It’s called ‘American’ by the media mostly because it’s been common in the US, not because it was “born” there or is somehow exclusive to America.

It’s partly the usual suspects. Immunity from past infections and vaccinations fades over time. The colder weather means more time indoors, which gives viruses plenty of opportunities to spread. And yes, XFG is currently the dominant variant in England, popping up in over half of samples tested. But to be clear, this doesn’t mean we’re heading for a new disaster-level wave. Covid patterns tend to fluctuate, especially in autumn and winter, and the virus keeps shifting, but most cases remain mild.

As for symptoms, they haven’t really changed. A sore, sometimes very painful throat is still common, along with cough, tiredness, fever or chills, headaches, body aches, a stuffy or runny nose, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea or diarrhea, and changes in taste or smell. Some people have reported hoarseness with newer variants, but by and large, what you’ll experience isn’t that different from a garden-variety cold or flu. That makes things tricky, since you really can’t tell by symptoms alone whether you have Covid, which variant you’ve caught, or if it’s something entirely different.

As has been the case throughout the pandemic, older folks, especially over 75 or 85, are most at risk if they catch COVID. The latest data still supports this, as hospitalizations are higher in this age group. The same goes for people whose immune systems aren’t as strong, or those with certain chronic health conditions.

Getting vaccinated is still your best line of defense against getting really sick. The autumn booster campaign in the UK specifically targets the people who need protection most. If you’re offered a jab, take it. Other commonsense strategies, like keeping fresh air circulating indoors, staying home when you’re sick, steering clear of people who are visibly unwell, and wearing a mask if you’re sick or around someone vulnerable, are all still helpful. After a positive test, you should minimize contact with those most at risk.

When it comes to treatment, the advice hasn’t changed much either. Most people can recover at home with rest, fluids, and medicines for fever or aches. But if you have a higher risk of developing severe illness, doctors might prescribe antivirals like Paxlovid or molnupiravir, but you’ll need to meet specific criteria for those. And if you’re struggling to breathe, having chest pain, or your symptoms get suddenly worse, don’t wait up — get professional help right away.

For most of us, no. There’s no evidence so far that XFG leads to worse illness than other recent variants. The WHO’s assessment lines up with what experts in the UK are seeing: this is not the start of another pandemic-sized emergency. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore it altogether. Covid is still evolving, and the virus still lands people in the hospital, especially those who are older or have health problems. The smart approach: get boosted if you’re eligible, keep an eye on symptoms, take illness seriously, and keep looking out for people around you who might be vulnerable.