XFG American Covid Strain Spreads in Ireland With Eye Symptoms
- Positive COVID-19 test rates in the United Kingdom reached approximately 7% in September, accompanied by a 50% increase in hospital admissions over the same period, according to data...
- The XFG subvariant—known as Stratus—now accounts for 55% of COVID-19 cases in Ireland, the Irish Mirror reported.
- Beyond traditional respiratory indicators, pharmacists have flagged lesser-known visual symptoms associated with the variant.
Positive COVID-19 test rates in the United Kingdom reached approximately 7% in September, accompanied by a 50% increase in hospital admissions over the same period, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency cited by Country Living Magazine. As cases climb during the winter season, a newly dominant coronavirus strain is driving infections across Ireland and the UK while introducing distinct physical symptoms that health experts say require prompt attention.
The XFG Subvariant Spread and Clinical Signs
The XFG subvariant—known as Stratus—now accounts for 55% of COVID-19 cases in Ireland, the Irish Mirror reported. First detected in January 2025, the strain earned its American Covid
moniker after spreading rapidly across the United States last year. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre notes that hundreds of new cases and dozens of hospitalizations are now recorded weekly in Ireland.
XFG Covid symptoms: The 'less-obvious' signs of American Covid variant as cases surge in Ireland – Irish Mirror Online https://t.co/fgufWTzhQh
Beyond traditional respiratory indicators, pharmacists have flagged lesser-known visual symptoms associated with the variant. Noel Wicks, a pharmacist and adviser to GoldenEye cited by the Irish Mirror, cautioned that Conjunctivitis can be the first and/or the only symptom of COVID,
noting that clinical studies show it appears in up to 14% of positive cases. A meta-analysis of 6,308 individuals found eye symptoms in roughly 11% of patients, with conjunctivitis making up 88.8% of those instances.
The COVID virus can get into several body organs including the throat and lungs, as well as the eye’s surface and eyelids. When a droplet containing the virus lands on the surface of the eye, the virus likely travels from the eye surface into the internal cavity of the eye reaching the retina at the back of the eye.
Noel Wicks
Early indicators of ocular involvement include the whites of the eyes turning pink, alongside gritty, itchy sensations and a white or yellow discharge. Genetic alterations in the virus may also trigger a scratchy throat and heighten transmission rates compared to initial variants.
Household Cleaning Guidance and Infection Control
To limit viral transmission indoors during autumn and winter, cleaning professionals advise targeting high-touch surfaces. Alex Rorrison-Leech of Marigold, speaking to Country Living Magazine, noted that doorknobs and light switches are frequently overlooked breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses due to constant daily contact.
This guidance aligns with long-standing recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which issued protocols in July 2020 advising the daily cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched objects. Recommended items for regular cleaning include:
- Doorknobs and light switches
- Tables and hard-backed chairs
- Phones, tablets, and touch screens
- Remote controls, keyboards, and desks
- Toilets and sinks
Variant Severity and Public Health Outlook
Medical specialists have reassured the public that the XFG strain does not appear to represent a greater danger or cause more severe illness than earlier iterations of the coronavirus. Public health agencies continue to monitor the circulation of the virus as colder weather forces populations indoors, increasing household exposure risks.