""We have routinely seen XFG as the predominant variant since July 2025," Amanda Bidwell, the scientific program manager for WastewaterSCAN, told SFGATE in a statement."
""We are seeing the XFG variant ... make up approximately 82% of variants followed by NB.1.8.1 [Nimbus] at approximately 5.2%," Bidwell explained."
""There's a little bit more sore throats with some people," Chin Hong said. "Particularly in those who are older, who didn't get vaccinated last year." He added that Stratus has shown "a wider range of symptoms," including congestion and gastrointestinal issues, though most cases remain mild."
""It's more transmissible, so we expect that a lot of people will get it," he said, referring to Stratus. "Particularly with kids going back to school, a sniffle is likely going to be COVID.""
Stanford WastewaterSCAN sewage surveillance detected the XFG "Stratus" strain dominating infections in parts of San Francisco, Sacramento and San Jose. The strain made up more than half of variants at three of four sampling sites and comprised approximately 82% of variants in mid-August samples, with NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus) around 5.2%. Stratus has been predominant since July 2025 and appears more transmissible than recent lineages. Clinical presentation resembles earlier Nimbus infections, with increased sore throats—especially in older unvaccinated people—and a wider range of congestion and gastrointestinal symptoms, though most cases remain mild. Higher transmissibility raises expectations of widespread spread as schools reopen amid high disease levels and a constrained vaccine rollout.
Read at SFGATE
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