XFG variant, also known as Stratus, has gained momentum in the US since it was first detected in March.
Now CDC figures show Covid viral wastewater activity is now ‘high’ nationally as of the week of September 7, the latest data available, up from ‘moderate’ the week before.
The surge is largely driven by XFG, CDC data shows, which is thought to be more contagious than previous variants due to various mutations within its spike protein that help it evade antibodies from prior infection or vaccination.
This means XFG is likely more infectious, though is it is not deadlier.
