'Razor blade throat' symptom linked to new COVID-19 subvariant spreading in California

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A caller COVID-19 subvariant known arsenic NB.1.8.1, oregon "Nimbus," is spreading crossed the United States and gaining traction successful California, prompting wellness officials to impulse the nationalist to enactment up to day connected vaccinations.

The variant, archetypal detected successful China, present accounts for an estimated 37% of COVID-19 cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In California, the authorities Department of Public Health projects that Nimbus could soon marque up 55% of the circulating virus, up from conscionable 2% successful April.

For now, those cases are much focused successful bluish and confederate California.

One of the astir talked-about symptoms of the caller strain is what patients are calling "razor leaf throat", a terrible sore pharynx that immoderate picture arsenic feeling similar swallowing shards of glass.

"With this variant, we are seeing patients presenting with a precise achy sore throat, cough, headache, and nasal congestion," said Dr. Trinidad Solis with the Fresno County Department of Public Health.

Solis says different happening that makes Nimbus unsocial is its accelerated spread.

The Fresno County Department of Public Health is utilizing wastewater surveillance to way the beingness of the variant locally. Solis confirmed that NB.1.8.1 has been detected successful the region's wastewater samples successful caller weeks.

"We are starting to spot COVID cases emergence successful our region," she added.

Despite the uptick, nationalist COVID-19 trends stay comparatively stable. Test positivity rates are somewhat up, but hospitalizations are down, and the CDC reports debased levels of viral enactment successful wastewater nationwide.

Health officials proceed to urge basal precautions: predominant handwashing, masking successful crowded indoor spaces, and staying existent with COVID-19 vaccinations. The 2024-2025 vaccines stay effectual against the Nimbus variant, and updated shots targeting newer strains are expected this fall.

In Fresno County, residents tin entree up to 2 escaped COVID-19 trial kits portion supplies last. Mobile wellness units are besides disposable to supply vaccines crossed the region, nary questions asked.

For quality and upwind updates, travel Christina Lopez connected X and Instagram.