As the fall season begins, health officials are warning about a new COVID-19 variant, XFG, also known as “Straus,” which has been detected in 38 countries and is spreading rapidly in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), XFG now accounts for approximately 78% of total cases nationwide, a significant increase from just two months ago when it made up only 14% of cases. This suggests that the variant is likely present in Georgia.
Symptoms associated with the XFG strain remain similar to those seen with previous COVID-19 variants.
“The vaccine is expected to work well against variants that are predominant now. It is also expected to work well against the variants that are increasing and likely to be predominant in the future,” CDC experts stated.
The CDC recommends vaccination for individuals aged 65 or older and those who are immunocompromised. However, updated vaccines have not yet arrived in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that while the FDA has approved these vaccines, shipments have not yet reached local offices or retailers.
At-home COVID-19 tests continue to be effective at detecting newer variants like XFG. Dr. Michelle Chan, an infectious disease physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and instructor at Harvard Medical School, explained: “The antigen that the at-home tests look for has remained fairly stable even as the virus mutates and new strains of COVID develop.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises anyone experiencing symptoms to take a test promptly; if an initial result is negative, they recommend testing again to confirm results.
For further questions about COVID-19 symptoms or testing, readers can reach out via email at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
