The Stratus “razor blade” variant is driving up COVID-19 cases in much of the country, and in New Jersey, case activity is growing, according to new government estimates.
The XFG variant was first detected in January in Southeast Asia, and the earliest U.S. case was in March. In mid-June, XFG comprised 14 cases nationwide, but the NB.1.8.1, or “Nimbus” variant, remained the dominant strain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s wastewater surveillance data, XFG is now the dominant variant circulating in the United States.
The agency said COVID-19 cases are growing or likely to grow in 34 states and remain unchanged in 14. Both the percentage of positive laboratory tests and the number of emergency department visits among people of all ages are increasing.
Here’s a snapshot of activity in New Jersey:
- COVID-19 Emergency Room Visits: 0.7% of visits (as of Aug. 9)
- Viral Activity In Wastewater: Low (as of Aug. 14)
The wastewater surveillance data was collected from 22 participating water utilities in New Jersey.
Though emergency department visits remain low overall for COVID-19, influenza and RSV in New Jersey, the NJ Department of Health said emergency department visits associated with COVID-19 have increased in recent weeks.
The majority of hospitalizations have been reported in patients 65 years and older, and the predominant COVID-19 variants in circulation are XFG and NB.1.8.1., which are sub-variants of Omicron (covered by COVID-19 vaccines).
XFG causes a severe sore throat and hoarseness, hence the “razor blade COVID” nickname.
Symptoms common to other variants include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion and runny nose, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle and body aches, headache, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.
The variant may be better than others at evading immunity protection, according to experts. Although vaccine guidance is changing, the CDC website still says the COVID-19 vaccine helps protect against “severe illness, hospitalization and death.”
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