A croaky voice and a sharp, ‘razor blade’ sore throat are emerging as tell-tale signs of the latest Covid variants now sweeping Britain and the US.

The strains — XFB, dubbed Stratus, and NB.1.8.1, known as Nimbus — are fuelling a surge in infections, with cases doubling since August.

At the same time, health chiefs have launched a winter vaccination drive, urging millions to come forward for Covid and flu jabs as hospitalisations creep up. Continues…