On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 was a global pandemic. At this point, there were 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 deaths in total, and those numbers were only increasing. The coronavirus has changed our lives, from attending school online to forgetting what our friends’ faces look like, we are still facing the effects of the pandemic. Many might think the pandemic is “over” or that COVID-19 is in the past; however, that’s far from the truth. Although we don’t face the effects of COVID as head-on or significantly now, the virus is still present and infecting many. As a matter of fact, over the past month, scientists have added two new strains of the virus, “Stratus” and “Nimbus”, to the monitoring list. Keep reading to learn more about these variants. 

Stratus

The Stratus variant, officially known as XFG, is now spreading more rapidly and becoming more contagious. However, though the variant is quickly spreading, it is essential to remain informed and not become overly fearful. Current data shows that this variant doesn't lead to more severe illness or higher death rates compared to other circulating variants. Regarding symptoms, scientists have noted that significant hoarseness is a common symptom, along with the typical COVID-19 symptoms, such as body aches, coughing, and sneezing. This Stratus (XFG) strain is a new Omicron subvariant that formed when two Omicron strains, called LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, mixed inside one person who was infected with both. This created a new version with parts of both strains. It was first identified in India, where it quickly became the dominant variant by spring 2025. It is now detected in at least 38 countries, making up ~23% of global samples as of late May 2025. And as of today, the WHO has currently listed it as a “variant under monitoring”, meaning they’re watching it closely but don’t yet consider it dangerous enough to be labeled a "variant of concern."

Nimbus

The Nimbus variant is officially known as NB.1.8.1, and is also rapidly spreading globally. Along with the other five variants on the WHO’s  “variants under monitoring” list, Nimbus raises potential public health concerns. This variant is a descendant of the Omicron family, meaning it’s not a recombinant like Stratus, it evolved gradually, gaining new mutations through typical viral evolution. The places it is most prevalent are the United States and Europe, and once again, it’s not more lethal, just better at spreading and causing distinct symptoms. It was detected for the first time in early 2025 (January/February), and is still on the rise. What sets Nimbus apart is the terrible sore throat it brings. Patients say the pain is awful, and that combined with the typical COVID-19 symptoms is a rough combo. Additionally, although the sore throat can be severe, Nimbus rarely affects the lungs, and loss of smell or taste is uncommon. Therefore, it might seem more like a typical upper respiratory infection rather than an early case of COVID. Studies have also shown that antibodies are quite effective on Nimbus, meaning that vaccines (especially updated ones) have a good chance at helping patients recover. 

YOUR next steps

If you experience symptoms such as hoarseness, severe sore throat, fever, cough, fatigue, or muscle aches, it's recommended to self-isolate and get tested, especially when traveling or around vulnerable individuals. To treat these symptoms, make sure to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen, throat lozenges, drink warm drinks, gargle salt water, and stay hydrated. Additionally, keep your COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters current, particularly the latest shots rolled out from mid-2024 to 2025. Remember to continue to wear masks when feeling ill, wash your hands often, and stay home if you have symptoms, as those are the most effective preventative measures!

Finally, it’s normal for new COVID-19 variants to emerge over time, as viruses are constantly evolving. There’s no need to panic. Just stay informed, take precautions, and look after your health!