What you need to know about Nimbus, the newest COVID-19 variant
A new COVID-19 variant—NB.1.8.1 or Nimbus—is now the most common strain in the U.S. after surging in several Asian countries. Experts told Public Good News there are other concerning variants increasingly circulating in the U.S., including XFG and XFC.
Some research suggests that the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine can protect against Nimbus and other similar variants.
There have been reports of people infected with the Nimbus variant experiencing a really painful sore throat, which some are calling “razor-blade throat,” but otherwise, symptoms are similar to previous COVID-19 variants.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that Nimbus accounted for approximately 43 percent of U.S. COVID-19 cases in the week ending June 21.
“If this was a horse race and I had to put some money down, I actually wouldn’t put my money on Nimbus,” he says.
However, regardless of the variant, Lawler adds that “we will probably see a significant summer wave of [COVID-19] infections, just as we have every summer since 2020.”
Read on to learn more about this variant, its symptoms, and more.
What is NB.1.8.1?
It’s a new COVID-19 variant, first identified in January, that descends from Omicron.
Like other currently circulating variants, NB.1.8.1 has “mutations or changes that will help it avoid preexisting immunity or vaccine immunity,” says Andrew Pekosz, PhD, virologist and professor of microbiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Those mutations, coupled with low vaccination rates this year and a current lull in cases, could lead to a spike in cases this summer, says Pekosz.
Do current vaccines work against Nimbus?
Yes, some research suggests that the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine can protect against Nimbus and other similar variants.
What are the symptoms of Nimbus?
Lawler says there have been some anecdotal reports of people infected with the Nimbus variant experiencing a really painful sore throat, which some are calling “razor-blade throat.”
“Some of the first Omicron variants that emerged were notable because they caused much more sore throat symptoms than in the nose,” adds Pekosz. So, it wouldn’t be surprising that people were experiencing severe sore throats with Nimbus, he says.
In addition to reports of sore throats, Lawler and Pekosz say that the symptoms are similar to previous COVID-19 variants.
“I don’t think that I’ve seen anything that makes me see something that is an important distinction,” Lawler adds. “Right now, we don’t see any evidence that it changes the ultimate severity of the infection.”
How can you protect yourself?
It’s important to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. Lawler says that the CDC still recommends getting vaccinated every six months if you are at high risk or immunocompromised.
“You get the best protection—and this is well documented in multiple studies—if you’ve been vaccinated relatively recently, certainly within the last six months,” he adds.
Experts also agree that you should take the same precautions you would take for any other COVID-19 variant: Wear a mask in crowded places and stay home if you’re sick.
For more information, including whether you should get a COVID-19 vaccine this summer, talk to your health care provider.
