In the last month, the XFG variant has driven an increasing proportion of cases. As of Aug. 13, Stratus is now the predominant variant circulating in the U.S., according to wastewater data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The variant was most notably present in the state during early June, when XFG made up 75% of reported COVID-19 cases. The latest available data is from mid-July, where XFG was the