XFG COVID-19 variant Frankenstein Mexico cases and deaths 2026, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico): So far in 2026, Mexico’s health authorities remain on alert as the XFG variant of COVID-19, popularly known as the Frankenstein or Stratus variant, has become predominant ahead of the 2026-2027 winter season.
The World Health Organization says there is no scientific evidence that the variant causes more severe disease or higher mortality, and that it remains sensitive to common antivirals such as remdesivir.
The Secretariat of Health reported that Mexico has recorded a cumulative total of 3,019 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 109 deaths so far this year, figures registered just before the formal start of winter. The national cumulative case fatality rate stands at 3.5 percent, and confirmed positive cases represent only 3 percent of the 102,323 people evaluated and classified by health institutions as suspected cases due to respiratory infections.
Mexico City has the highest number of confirmed cases, at 810. It is followed by the State of Mexico with 255 cases, Puebla with 225, Hidalgo with 200, and Nuevo León with 189 positive cases.
Deaths are concentrated mainly in three regions, led by Hidalgo with 19 deaths, followed by Mexico City with 15 and Puebla with 11.
By gender, women account for 58.7 percent of confirmed infections, while men account for the remaining 41.3 percent. Regarding medical care, 51 percent of diagnosed patients did not require hospital admission and recovered at home on an outpatient basis.
The Frankenstein variant presents distinctive symptoms, including intense throat pain and, in particular, hoarseness or aphonia, which includes temporary loss of voice. The National Winter Vaccination Campaign already includes protection against this lineage through updated doses such as the Pfizer vaccine, which help prevent serious clinical complications, with priority given to older adults, pregnant women and people with comorbidities.
