The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing worldwide, and a new variant nicknamed Nimbus is spreading rapidly in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are monitoring its spread.
Nimbus, identified as NB.1.8.1, is a subvariant of Omicron and was first detected in January 2025. It has already spread to at least 14 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
Symptoms of Nimbus include cough, runny nose or congestion, shortness of breath, fever or chills, headache, body aches, fatigue, loss of sense of smell or taste, and more notably, a severe sore throat. The nickname “razor blade throat” is attributed to this symptom’s intense nature.
According to infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a sore throat is not unique to the Nimbus variant and can be experienced by anyone infected with COVID-19, regardless of variant.
To protect yourself against COVID-19, follow the CDC’s three-pronged approach: stay up-to-date with your vaccinations, practice good hygiene, and take steps for cleaner air. While current data suggests that Nimbus may not lead to more severe illness than other variants, it is still crucial to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures.
As of June 7, Nimbus accounted for 37% of COVID-19 cases in the US, outpacing the dominant LP.8.1 variant. However, deaths caused by COVID-19 are a reminder that the disease can be deadly, with over 1.2 million fatalities in the US since the start of the pandemic and 7.1 million worldwide.
Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91351955/nimbus-new-covid-variant-tracker-symptoms-razor-blade-throat-nb-1-8-1-spreads-usa