The spread of a new strain of coronavirus has been reported in Britain.

A new strain of coronavirus with a unique symptom is spreading in the UK, The Independent newspaper reported on July 4, citing the British health Agency (UKHSA).

We are talking about the strain "Stratus", a symptom of which is considered hoarseness of voice. There are two variants of this strain, XFG and XFG.3, and the latter is more common than other variants of the virus. About a third of all those infected with COVID-19 in England are now infected with Stratus, the newspaper writes.

Dr. Alex Allen, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, noted that it is normal for viruses to mutate and change over time. According to him, there is no evidence yet that the new strain causes a more severe course of the disease.

"There is no evidence yet that the XFG and XFG variants.3 cause a more severe course of the disease compared to previous variants, or that the vaccines used will be less effective against them," the publication quotes him as saying.

Traces of the strain: scientists will increase the effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines

How Omicron's key peptides will help protect against new pathogen variants

In Australia, the first case of infection with a new variant of monkeypox (mpox) was recorded in May. A man who returned from Thailand turned out to be ill. It was noted that the risk of further spread of the disease is low.