New stratus variant fuels nationwide COVID-19 surge as accountability questions linger

By avagrace // 2025-09-30

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A new COVID-19 variant, stratus (XFG), is now the dominant strain in the U.S., accounting for an estimated 80 percent of cases and driving a national surge in infections.
Wastewater surveillance indicates "high" viral activity nationally, with 29 states reporting high or very high levels, as this method has become a more reliable indicator than official case counts.
The variant is more contagious due to spike protein mutations that help it evade prior immunity, but early data suggest it does not cause more severe illness than recent strains.
Symptoms are familiar, including fever, cough, fatigue and sore throat, with a persistent dry cough and "brain fog" being frequently reported; meanwhile, hospitalizations and other severity metrics have improved.
Public health strategy is shifting toward individual risk assessment, with the CDC moving away from universal booster recommendations and treating COVID-19 more like an endemic virus ,such as the flu.

A new Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) variant, known as XFG or stratus, is driving a significant uptick in infections across the United States, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The variant, first detected domestically in March, has become the dominant strain, accounting for an estimated 80 percent of current cases and elevating national wastewater viral activity to a "high" level. This surge arrives as public health guidance continues to shift toward individual risk assessment, reigniting debates about transparency and the long-term management of the virus. The CDC's primary tool for tracking this wave is wastewater surveillance, a method that analyzes sewage for viral particles shed by infected individuals. As of Sept. 7, the national level jumped from "moderate" to "high." This indirect measure has become increasingly crucial as official case counts have become less reliable due to widespread at-home testing that often goes unreported. An increase in viral material in wastewater strongly suggests that community transmission is rising, even if it is not being captured in traditional case data. (Related: FRANKEN-COVID invading Earth) The data shows that 29 states are now reporting "high" or "very high" viral activity. More notably, infections are confirmed or likely growing in nine states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Jersey and Delaware. South Dakota currently reports the highest level of activity, though it saw a slight decrease in the most recent data.

Why is stratus spreading

The stratus variant is a hybrid, or recombinant, of two earlier Omicron sublineages. This combination has resulted in mutations to its spike protein, the part of the virus that latches onto human cells. These changes allow stratus to evade some of the immune defenses built up from prior vaccination or infection, making it more contagious. However, early indicators suggest it is not causing more severe illness than recent predecessors. Specific factors in some states may be contributing to the spread. South Dakota's high activity level may be linked to healthcare access challenges in Native American communities. Minnesota's colder climate pushes gatherings indoors, facilitating transmission. Delaware's significant population of residents aged 60 and older, who are generally more vulnerable to infection, may also be a factor.

Symptoms and severity

The symptoms associated with the stratus variant are consistent with those commonly seen throughout the pandemic. They include fever, chills, cough, fatigue, body aches, headache and sore throat. Some patients also report gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea. Notably, a persistent dry cough and brain fog—a term describing feelings of mental confusion or lack of clarity—are being frequently reported. The characteristic loss of taste or smell appears to be less common with this strain. Despite the rise in infections, key severity metrics are showing signs of improvement. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, COVID-19-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits have decreased in recent weeks and the national test positivity rate has also dipped. This divergence between high transmission and lower severe outcomes underscores the complex relationship between the virus and a population with varying levels of immunity.

A shift in public health strategy

The variant's ascent coincides with a notable change in official vaccine policy. A CDC advisory panel recently voted against a universal recommendation for the latest COVID-19 booster shots, instead emphasizing individual decision-making. This move reflects a broader shift in the public health approach to COVID-19, treating it increasingly as an endemic virus similar to the flu, where personal risk tolerance dictates preventive measures. The emergence of stratus follows a now-familiar pattern. Just as the Nimbus variant caused concern earlier this year, new strains continue to test the limits of population immunity. This cyclical nature of the virus highlights a persistent challenge for health authorities and the public. However, this latest wave also resurfaces critical questions about data integrity and institutional accountability that arose during earlier phases of the pandemic. Watch and learn about COVID-19 vaccine risks in an interview of Health Ranger Mike Adams with Dr. Sherri Tenpenny. This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

NATURAL NEWS

Why is stratus spreading

Symptoms and severity

A shift in public health strategy

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