A new Covid strain extending across Britain has one very distinct sympton, an expert has claimed. Known as Stratus, it has become the most dominant strain spreading in the UK after first being detected in late January.

Stratus is one of seven variants currently being monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which says it accounted for around 23% of global Covid cases as of June 22. Stratus has two strains, XFG and XFG.2, which currently make up approximately 30% of cases with the illness in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports. A doctor has said while symptoms vary from person to person, the cases tend to be mild or moderate.

Dr Kaywaan Khan, a Harley Street GP, said Stratus tends to give those infected a hoarse voice.

He told Cosmopolitan UK: "One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.

"Regardless of whether the symptoms mimic a cold or flu, testing continues to be the critical step in eliminating the possibility of a coronavirus infection."

Medical experts have also warned the strain is more resistant to immunity.

Dr Khan, founder of the Hannah London Clinic, said: "Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations."

However, he added: "Despite this, it is important to mention that Stratus seems to be no worse than earlier Omicron variants in terms of illness, hospitalisations, or deaths."

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told the MailOnline there could be a "new wave of infection".

He said: "Given that immunity to Covid is waning in the population due to a decline in uptake of the spring booster jab and the reduction of Covid infections in recent months, more people will be susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG.3."

"This could lead to a new wave of infection but it's difficult to predict the extent of this wave," the professor added.

Covdi hospital admissions have been at historically low levels in the UK.

Other coronavirus variants have also been spreading across the country.

Last month, there was an increase in reports of the Nimbus variant giving people razor blade-like sore throats.