New COVID variant ‘Stratus’ identified in Armenia: 70 cases confirmed

Over the past 14 days, 70 cases of infection with a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, designated XFG and unofficially known as “Stratus,” have been recorded in Armenia, the country’s Ministry of Health reports.

During the same period last year, 72 cases were recorded, resulting in an incidence rate of 2.4 cases per 100,000 people.

One of the distinctive symptoms of illness caused by the Stratus variant is a change in voice, including hoarseness. Severe cases and hospitalizations are mainly observed among the elderly and individuals with chronic health conditions.

The Stratus variant was first detected in Canada on January 27, 2025. In late June, the WHO designated Stratus XFG as a new variant of the coronavirus. To date, Stratus has been identified in 38 countries.