Particle.news
Download on the App Store
17 ARTICLES
·
6h ago

Nimbus COVID Variant Now Causes Over One-Third of U.S. COVID Cases

Emergence of the highly transmissible strain has prompted expansion of genomic sequencing, wastewater surveillance

FILE: A new “razor blade throat” COVID subvariant is spreading in California.
© A. Aleksandravicius via Shutterstock
FILE: A group of masks laid in a pattern on a colored background. Health officials say a new subvariant of COVID nicknamed Nimbus is spreading in California.

Overview

  • The NB.1.8.1 variant, nicknamed Nimbus, was responsible for an estimated 37 percent of U.S. COVID-19 cases in the two weeks ending June 7.
  • The WHO designated NB.1.8.1 a variant under monitoring on May 23 after it was detected in at least 22 countries and 14 U.S. states.
  • Federal guidelines announced by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will restrict updated COVID-19 booster eligibility to those 65 and older or people with underlying health conditions.
  • Patients report symptoms similar to other Omicron subvariants but with some experiencing an intensely painful "razor blade" sore throat.
  • The CDC has ramped up genomic sequencing and wastewater surveillance to track the more transmissible strain as hospitalizations and deaths remain steady and low.