“American Covid” is a media nickname for XFG, also known as Stratus—not an official variant name or proof of where the virus originated. England’s latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report, published on 24 September 2026, recorded a week-to-week rise in COVID-19 test positivity and hospital admission rates, but described activity as remaining at low levels. The increases were uneven: the reported admission rate was higher among people aged 85 and over and in London.
What does “American Covid” mean?
Recent media coverage has used “American Covid” to refer to XFG, also called Stratus. It is a nickname, not the official name of a single strain. UKHSA’s surveillance report breaks sequenced samples into several XFG lineage categories; it does not show that one “American” strain accounts for every infection or hospital admission.
A lineage label also does not establish geographic origin. The nickname should not be read as evidence that a person’s infection came from the United States.
Did COVID-19 cases surge in England?
UKHSA’s report, published on 24 September 2026, said COVID-19 activity had increased but remained at low levels in England. Its latest hospital measures cover week 38, 14–20 September 2026:
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| Measure | Week 38 | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital COVID-19 PCR test positivity | 7.0% | 5.9% the previous Sunday |
| Weekly hospital admission rate, all ages | 1.20 per 100,000 | 0.81 per 100,000 in the previous week |
The admission rate rose by about 48% between those two reported weeks, calculated from the published rates. That is a substantial percentage change from a low baseline; it does not mean that admissions rose by 48 percentage points or that the report described a high level of activity. UKHSA notes that admission figures are provisional and may be revised retrospectively. UKHSA’s week 39 report
The measures describe different things. PCR positivity is the share of hospital tests that were positive; the admission rate is admissions per 100,000 people per week. Neither is a count of all infections in England.
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Who had the highest reported admission rates?
In week 38, the reported rate was higher in London and among people aged 85 and over than the all-ages England rate. The week-to-week comparisons were:
| Group or area | Week 38 admissions per 100,000 | Previous week |
|---|---|---|
| London | 1.70 | 0.95 |
| People aged 85 and over | 12.43 | 7.08 |
| England, all ages | 1.20 | 0.81 |
These are weekly rates, not admission counts. The older age group’s rate was notably higher, but the figures do not establish that XFG caused the increase or that all older people face the same individual risk. UKHSA says the admission data are provisional. UKHSA’s week 39 report
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How common were XFG lineages in sequencing?
For sequenced positive samples collected from 17 to 30 August 2026, UKHSA reported these shares:
| Lineage category | Share of sequenced samples |
|---|---|
| XFG.23.1.3 | 46.2% |
| XFG.14.8 | 12.8% |
| XFG | 5.1% |
The three reported categories add up to 64.1% of sequenced samples in that collection window. They are not shares of all infections. UKHSA cautions that low sequencing numbers affect the accuracy of lineage estimates, and this August sequencing window is earlier than the September hospital data. UKHSA’s week 39 report
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Are the symptoms different, and can they identify XFG?
Contemporary coverage listed sore throat, cough, fatigue, fever and hoarseness among symptoms reported with recent COVID-19 infections. Symptoms vary, and these can overlap with other respiratory illnesses. Having one or more of them cannot tell you whether you have COVID-19 or identify a particular lineage.
If you feel unwell, make decisions based on your symptoms, circumstances and current NHS advice—not the “American Covid” label. UKHSA’s surveillance report does not provide a symptom test for XFG.
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What should you do if you think you have COVID-19?
The Independent reported that NHS advice said most people no longer need to take a lateral-flow test. It also reported advice for people who test positive to stay home as much as possible and avoid contact with others for five days—or three days for those under 18—and to avoid people with weakened immune systems for ten days after the test. Because current NHS guidance was not independently confirmed for this article, check the NHS COVID-19 guidance for the advice in force where you live.
UKHSA consultant epidemiologist Alex Allen said: “While Covid-19 activity has shown some recent increases, cases remain at low levels in the UK.” That quoted statement refers to the UK; the weekly surveillance figures above are for England. The Independent also quoted University of Surrey lecturer Dr Matthew Siggins saying the increase was not a “reason for alarm” and that there was no evidence variants then circulating in the UK were causing more severe disease. These are attributed assessments, not a claim that COVID-19 poses no serious risk. The Independent’s report
Who is eligible for an autumn COVID-19 vaccine?
The Independent reported that people aged 75 and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and immunosuppressed individuals were among those eligible for the autumn COVID-19 vaccination. Eligibility, vaccine formulation and access arrangements can change. Confirm the current campaign details with the NHS before relying on this reported list; this article does not establish that it is complete or current for every part of the UK. The Independent’s report
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