A new Covid variant, XFG or “Stratus,” is spreading quickly across the U.S. The CDC says viral wastewater activity is now “high” nationwide as of September 7, up from “moderate” the week before.

XFG, first detected in Southeast Asia in January and in the U.S. by March, now makes up “80 percent of US Covid cases.” It is a hybrid of two omicron strains, making it more contagious but “not deadlier.” Symptoms remain similar: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion, fatigue, body aches, and loss of taste or smell.

As of September 16, 29 states reported “high” or “very high” wastewater activity. Infections are “growing” or “likely growing” in nine states, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Jersey, and Delaware. South Dakota reported “very high” activity, while Minnesota and Delaware were “high.”

Despite its rapid spread, the variant shows signs of slowing. Hospitalizations dropped from 2.5 to 1.5 per 100,000 in mid-September. Test positivity also fell to 9.5 percent, and emergency visits declined.

The CDC notes its wastewater data reflects how many people are shedding the virus, indicating rising or falling infection trends.

⸻

Would you like me to make this even more news headline–style concise (like a 100–120 word news brief), or keep it at this length?