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6d ago

New COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 Spreads Locally in the US After Surge in Asia

The variant, potentially more transmissible but not more severe, has been detected in multiple US states following sharp case increases in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Early studies suggest that NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily than other variants.
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Overview

  • The NB.1.8.1 variant, first linked to a rise in cases in China and other parts of Asia, is now spreading locally in the US, with cases reported in Ohio, Rhode Island, Hawaii, California, and Washington.
  • The World Health Organisation has stated that while the variant may be more transmissible due to its ability to bind more effectively to human cells, it does not appear to cause more severe illness.
  • China has seen a significant increase in severely ill respiratory patients, while Taiwan has reported a 78% rise in hospital admissions, and Hong Kong has reintroduced mask recommendations in crowded areas.
  • In the US, NB.1.8.1 cases were initially detected in international travelers at airports, with subsequent unrelated cases reported in local communities as early as late March.
  • Despite the detection of the variant and its spread, the US has not implemented new measures, and COVID-19 testing rates have declined by 12% in the most recent data.