A new COVID-19 strain, identified as NB.1.8.1, has been detected in nine countries, including China, Japan, and the US. Health officials are warning of a surge in hospitalizations in China, with many patients requiring treatment.
The CDC reports that travelers infected with the virus arrived in California, Washington state, Virginia, and New York City. Neighboring Taiwan and Hong Kong have also seen a rise in hospitalizations.
In response to the outbreak, Hong Kong authorities are urging residents to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus. The city’s COVID-19 rates have reached their worst levels in over a year, according to officials.
The origins of the new strain remain a topic of debate between the US and China, with Beijing claiming that the pandemic may have originated in the US. However, Chinese officials maintain that substantial evidence points to a different origin.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2059648/doctors-warning-covid-strain-mask