The Bay Area has seen significant increases in COVID-19 levels, with wastewater levels exceeding winter peaks and rising faster than the statewide average. A new variant called NB.1.8.1, dubbed “Nimbus,” is behind this surge, and its symptoms are more severe than previous variants.
According to Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, Nimbus is more transmissible but does not cause more serious disease. However, it will still lead to more hospitalizations due to increased transmission among vulnerable populations.
Symptoms of the new variant include a painful sore throat, known as “razor blade throat,” which can be severe enough to make eating or drinking uncomfortable. Other symptoms remain the same as previous variants, including fever, chills, and cough.
To alleviate these symptoms, experts recommend taking systemic therapies such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, using warm remedies like chicken soup or lemon tea, and staying hydrated. Environmental treatments like humidifiers can also help ease discomfort.
For those experiencing severe symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention if they last longer than a week, drool excessively, or are unable to eat or drink. The COVID-19 vaccine that rolled out in August 2024 is still effective against the new variant.
It is crucial to take a COVID-19 test as early as two days after exposure and repeat it 48 hours later if symptoms persist. Expired tests can lead to unreliable results, so it’s essential to check the FDA’s list of authorized test types before taking a test.
Isolation guidelines have been revised, allowing COVID-positive individuals to return to work once symptoms are improving overall. Those with health insurance may be able to get free or low-cost testing through various providers and government programs.
To find free COVID-19 testing sites near you, visit MyTurn.ca.gov/testing or contact your healthcare provider. The CDC’s test locator is no longer operational, but many health centers still offer free testing services.
Source: https://www.berkeleyside.org/2025/07/18/bay-area-covid-levels-nimbus-razor-blade-variant