A new COVID-19 variant is climbing the ranks in the United States, becoming the third-most common strain of the summer. Variant XFG, colloquially known as "Stratus," was first detected in Southeast Asia in January but accounted for less than about 0% of cases in the United States until May.

That's the name of the latest COVID-19 strain going around. Variant XFG, colloquially known as "Stratus," was first detected in Southeast Asia in January but accounted for less than about 0% of cases in the United States until May.

The Public Health Center of Ukraine reported results from sequencing COVID-19 pathogens from patients in Poltava Oblast, confirming the virus belongs to the XFG genetic lineage, which is actively spreading worldwide.