New figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show Covid-19 cases are rising again, with one particular strain causing concern. Over the past week, there have been 303 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the total to 1,364 – a rise of 28.6 per cent. Hospital admissions have also climbed by 15 per cent, an increase of 34, bringing the total to 261.
In Wales, as of 27 September 2026 (week 39), the number of confirmed cases of community-acquired Covid-19 admitted to hospital rose to 23, compared to just one in the previous week, although Public Health Wales noted there had been an issue with hospital admission data during this period. There were also 134 in-patient cases of confirmed Covid-19, two of whom were receiving critical care.
XFG strain, nicknamed 'American Covid'
As with all viruses, Covid continues to evolve in order to survive, giving rise to different strains and variants. One currently gaining ground in the UK is a variant of the Stratus strain, known as XFG, and more recently referred to as 'American Covid', reports North Wales Live.
XFG got its nickname after becoming the most prevalent variant across North America, and has since made its way to the UK, contributing to a surge in hospital admissions. Dr Alex Allen, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, has described XFG as "closely related" to other strains, according to the Metro.
"The strains currently going around, including those known as XFG, are closely related to strains that have been with us for over a year, so this isn't something new," Dr Allen said.
Specialists have previously provided reassurance that these variants don't appear to represent any greater danger than earlier forms of Covid or cause people to become more severely unwell. However, the virus's genetic alterations may increase transmission and could cause slightly different symptoms to the initial Covid-19 variants, including a scratchy throat.
Symptoms and impact on the NHS
Dr Kaywaan Khan, a Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told the Mirror: "You can still get some of the same features as with the common cold, like a cough or runny nose, but we are seeing a lot more hoarseness of voice."
Dr Khan continued: "It's not a defining feature, you can experience this with the common cold too, but with Covid, you can get a bit of laryngitis and this hoarse voice."
This differs somewhat from symptoms linked with other variants, as Dr Khan explained: "You can get a razor-sharp sore throat, but also loss of taste. It's probably less common than the first strains, but that can indicate Covid."
The Independent reported that hospitalisations are rising across NHS hospital trusts due to 'American Covid', and according to the latest laboratory surveillance from the UKHSA, more than half of all sequenced positive samples in England now test positive for XFG, or Stratus variant. The 'American Covid' strain was first identified last year and has since spread extensively throughout the US.
While hospital admissions remain below pandemic peaks, it is placing additional pressure on the NHS at a time when other illnesses are also on the increase.
NHS guidance on isolation and symptoms
The NHS states that anyone under 18 who tests positive should remain at home for three days. Those over 18 should stay at home for five days. You should also keep away from vulnerable individuals for 10 days.
According to the NHS, Covid-19 symptoms can include: high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, feeling tired or exhausted, an aching body, a headache, a sore throat, a blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and feeling sick or being sick.
It's important to note that with American Covid, or XFG, experts have emphasised that a hoarse, croaky or scratchy throat is one of the more distinguishing symptoms.
The NHS says those experiencing Covid symptoms should try to remain at home and limit contact with others. These symptoms include a high temperature or not feeling well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities. You are able to resume your usual activities once you are feeling better or no longer have a high temperature.
Should your child experience mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or a slight cough, and they feel well enough in themselves, they are fine to attend school or childcare. If you take a test and return a positive result, the NHS advises you remain home and limit contact with others for three days following the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old, or try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over.
You should also avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from infections, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test.
How to look after yourself if you have Covid-19
Here's how best to look after yourself if you have Covid-19, according to the NHS: get lots of rest, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear), take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable, try having a teaspoon of honey if you have a cough – do not give honey to babies under 12 months, try turning the heating down or opening a window to help with breathlessness, breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle, sit upright in a chair to help with breathlessness, relax your shoulders so you're not hunched to help with breathlessness, and lean forward slightly – support yourself by putting your hands on your knees or on something stable like a chair to help with breathlessness.
