As Covid deaths rise worldwide, a dominant strain known as “American Covid” is fueling fresh concerns, with experts warning of an unexpected symptom that could be mistaken for conjunctivitis, even without the usual signs of infection.
The days of lockdowns, mandatory masks and social distancing may be behind us, but Covid-19 is far from gone, and a recent rise in global infections is reminding health officials that the virus remains a threat.
Among the variants drawing renewed attention is the highly contagious XFG, also known as Stratus, which has been circulating internationally for more than a year and is now considered a dominant strain.
It has also earned the nickname “American Covid” after spreading rapidly across the US, but the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stresses that there evidence that it causes more severe illness than other circulating variants.
Nevertheless, the numbers are giving health experts reason to pay attention.
