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“American Covid” is a media nickname for the XFG family of COVID-19 lineages, also called Stratus; it is not an official variant name and does not establish where the virus originated. England’s latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report, published 24 September 2026, found COVID-19 activity had increased but remained at low levels. Hospital positivity and admission rates rose in the latest reported week, with the highest admission rates among people aged 85 and over.
What does “American Covid” mean?
The phrase used in recent coverage refers to XFG, also known as Stratus. It is a media label, not an official designation. The latest UKHSA report breaks sequenced samples into several lineages, so the data do not show that one single “American” strain accounts for every infection or hospital admission.
Symptoms cannot identify XFG: sore throat, cough, fatigue, fever and hoarseness have been reported with recent COVID-19 infections, but they overlap with other respiratory illnesses. The symptom list was reported by The Independent, not established by the UKHSA surveillance report.
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Are cases really surging in England?
UKHSA’s week 39 report, published 24 September 2026, covers surveillance through 20 September. In week 38 (14–20 September), hospital COVID-19 PCR positivity was 7.0%, up from 5.9% the previous Sunday. The weekly hospital admission rate across all levels was 1.20 per 100,000, compared with 0.81 per 100,000 the preceding week—an increase of about 48% from a relatively low baseline. UKHSA described activity as increased but still at low levels. Admission figures are provisional and may be revised retrospectively. UKHSA weekly report
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These measures are related but not interchangeable: PCR positivity is the share of hospital tests that were positive, while the admission rate is admissions per 100,000 people. Neither figure is a direct count of all infections in England.
Who had the highest reported admission rates?
In week 38, London’s hospital admission rate was 1.70 per 100,000, up from 0.95 the previous week. Among people aged 85 and over, the rate was 12.43 per 100,000, compared with 7.08 the previous week. These are rates for the specified region and age group, not evidence that every older person or London resident faces the same risk. The data are provisional. UKHSA weekly report
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How common were XFG lineages?
For positive samples collected from 17–30 August, UKHSA classified 46.2% of sequenced samples as XFG.23.1.3, 12.8% as XFG.14.8 and 5.1% as XFG. Together those reported categories amount to 64.1% of sequenced samples in that earlier window. They are not percentages of all infections, and they should not be treated as the same time period as the week 38 hospital figures. UKHSA cautions that low sequencing numbers affect the accuracy of lineage estimates. UKHSA weekly report
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Not on the evidence cited in the contemporary coverage. Dr Matthew Siggins, a University of Surrey lecturer in immunity and infection biology, told The Independent that the increase was not a “reason for alarm” and that there was no evidence that variants then circulating in the UK were causing more severe disease. This is an attributed assessment, not a guarantee that COVID-19 cannot cause serious illness.
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UKHSA consultant epidemiologist Alex Allen said: “While Covid-19 activity has shown some recent increases, cases remain at low levels in the UK.” The quotation is UK-wide; the underlying weekly surveillance report cited here covers England. The Independent
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should I do if I think I have Covid?
Symptoms alone cannot confirm COVID-19 or identify a lineage. The Independent’s account of NHS advice said most people no longer need lateral-flow tests. It also reported advice for people who test positive to stay home as much as possible and avoid contact with others for five days (three days for those under 18), and to avoid people with weakened immune systems for ten days after the test. Check current NHS guidance before acting, as the primary advice page and its current wording were not verified for this article. The Independent
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The same report said people aged 75 and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and immunosuppressed people were among those eligible for the autumn COVID-19 vaccination. Eligibility and access can change; consult current NHS vaccination guidance rather than assuming this reported list is complete. The Independent
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