CDC wastewater also shows the XFG variant — nicknamed stratus — is most common in the U.S. Stratus can cause a “razor blade” sore throat and is considered a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization. The WHO said the variant is only marginally better at evading people's immune systems and vaccines still work against it.

COVID-19 signals are climbing nationwide, and two Omicron offshoots appear to be leading the charge.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, Aug. 8 upgraded national wastewater viral activity for COVID-19 from “low” to “moderate,