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As every year, new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are circulating, causing respiratory infections in people in Europe.
The currently dominant Covid variant XFG is often referred to in the media as the “Frankenstein variant”. It is reported to cause the so-called “razor blade throat” as a typical symptom. Doctors report patients complaining of extremely severe sore throats—so severe that they feel like they are swallowing razor blades.
Several media outlets have reported on this in recent days.
On May 23, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified the variant as a “variant under monitoring” (VUM). It spread rapidly in China, accounting for ten percent or more of registered cases worldwide within weeks.
Between September 22 and 28, 2025 (calendar week 39), 71 percent of the 49 coronavirus samples analyzed were from the XFG line, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Anyone who is currently infected with Covid is therefore most likely infected with XFG, or the “Frankenstein variant.”
New infections are at a significantly lower level
In the week from October 6 to 12, approximately 6,440 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported to the RKI so far.
By comparison, in mid-October 2024, there were around 11,570 cases—almost twice as many as now. In mid-October 2020, over 7,000 new infections were recorded in a single day, and by the end of the same month, the number of daily cases had risen to more than 19,000.
Why is the currently dominant COVID variant being referred to by some media outlets as the “Frankenstein variant”?
XFG is a recombination—a mixture of the two earlier virus sub-lines LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. Similar to Frankenstein’s monster, which was assembled from different body parts, XFG combines parts of varying virus lines.
However, such recombination is actually completely normal for viruses.
The term “Frankenstein” was first used in 2021 by South African virologist Alex Sigal to describe the multitude of mutations in Omicron. This comparison was later picked up by British tabloid media such as the Daily Mail and The Sun. The name has now also become established in German media.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) currently classify the risk posed by XFG as low.
Incidentally, it is not clearly proven whether the “razor blade sensation” in the throat actually occurs more frequently with XFG.
Symptoms such as severe sore throat and hoarseness are not specific to COVID-19 variants—they can also occur with other respiratory infections. Based on symptoms alone, it is difficult to distinguish between COVID and, for example, influenza.
- source: euronews.de/picture: pixabay.com
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