New COVID-19 Variant Sweeping Across the United States with Positivity Rates Hovering Between 9.9 to 15 Percent
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 28, 2025 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day, 15 hours, 42 minutes ago
Medical News: A new COVID-19 strain, known as the XFG variant, is causing a noticeable rise in COVID-19 cases across the United States. First identified in Southeast Asia in January 2025, XFG has quickly become more widespread—accounting for about 14 percent of U.S. cases by July and spreading to at least 38 countries.
New COVID-19 Variant Sweeping Across the United States with Positivity Rates Hovering Between 9.9 to 15 Percent
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the national COVID-19 test positivity rate reached 9.9 percent over the past week, marking a 1.4 percent increase compared to the previous week.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
According to U.S. CDC data, the steepest rises are being seen across the U.S. South, where some states are now recording positivity rates as high as 15 percent.
What We Know About XFG
Origins and Spread
-XFG is a recombinant virus, a hybrid created from two Omicron subvariants—LF.7 and LP.8.1.2.
-In the U.S., it rose from essentially 0 percent in March to 14 percent by July.
-The World Health Organization has designated XFG as a “variant under monitoring,” not yet of high concern.
How It May Differ from Other Strains
-Transmission and Immunity
-XFG possesses certain mutations in its spike protein that may help it evade antibodies more effectively than some prior variants.
However, it does not appear to bind as strongly to the human ACE2 receptor, which could limit how easily it infects cells compared to other variants.
Symptom Profile
Generally, symptoms remain similar to other Omicron variants: sore throat, cough, fever, congestion, fatigue, headache, and sometimes loss of taste or smell.
Some reports highlight unusual symptoms like chest pain, trouble staying awake, or a hoarse raspy voice.
The term "razor-blade throat" describes unusually sharp throat pain associated anecdotally with the strain.
Current Situation in the U.S.
Rising Cases and Wastewater Indicators
COVID-19 cases are rising again in many U.S. states, largely due to XFG. Wastewater surveillance shows elevated viral activity, especially in western and southern states such as California, Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina.
For example, Texas reports that XFG now makes up about 65 percent of circulating variants, and it is contributing to rising emergency department visits.
XFG does not appear to cause more severe illness than earlier Omicron variants
Prevention Measures Still Matter
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Experts remind people to keep up precautions: wear masks in crowded indoor spaces, practice good hygiene, stay home when sick, and seek medical care promptly if symptoms worsen.
Monitoring wastewater and early detection remain important tools for anticipating and managing new surges.
Why It Matters for Everyone
This
Medical News report makes it clear that the XFG variant is spreading swiftly but isn’t showing a higher risk of severe disease. Still, the rise in cases—especially among children returning to school—and confusing vaccine access policies have made it harder for some to stay protected. The mix of lingering symptoms, public fatigue, and evolving virus variants underscores why staying informed and prepared remains essential.
Important Points
-Rapid Spread: XFG rose from negligible presence in March to 14 percent by July in the U.S., and is now present in 38 countries.
-Genetic Makeup: A recombinant of two Omicron strains, it harbors mutations that aid immune evasion but binds less effectively to human cell receptors.
-Symptoms: While most symptoms mirror prior variants, reports of severe throat pain, hoarseness, chest discomfort, and drowsiness suggest possible new patterns.
-Public Health Response: Elevated wastewater signals and increased ER visits in children highlight the ongoing need for prevention, vaccination, and clear communication.
Conclusions
While the XFG variant is spreading rapidly and may have some ability to evade the immune system, it does not appear more dangerous than previous Omicron off-shoots. Vaccines still provide protection against severe illness. Unusual symptoms like chest pain, drowsiness, or extreme throat pain are being reported and should not be ignored. Public health strategies—masking, early testing, and monitoring—continue to be key in managing this wave of COVID-19. Communities, especially parents of young children, should stay alert and act swiftly with symptoms or exposures.
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-cases-rising-in-latvia-with-warnings-of-worse-to-come
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-cases-have-been-rising-non-stop-across-japan-for-last-two-months
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-hospitalizations-rising-sharply-across-the-united-kingdom
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