COVID-19 remains a public health concern five years into the pandemic. Over 40,000 positive tests were reported in May, with hospitalizations and deaths down significantly since the peak. However, vulnerable individuals still face challenges limiting their risk.
As of June 4, there were 735 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the US as of May 24. The CDC’s data tracker shows 3% of 1,344,681 COVID tests administered nationwide were positive in the four weeks leading up to May 24.
A new variant, NB.1.8.1, has emerged globally, with 10.7% of reported cases attributed to it as of mid-May. The US has only seen less than 20 cases, too low to be added to the CDC’s dashboard. Experts say this variant may evade antibodies created by vaccines or past infections more easily than other strains.
Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are similar to those of other COVID-19 variants, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The vaccine landscape has also changed, with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announcing that only people over 65 or with existing health problems will be recommended for the vaccine.
This shift breaks with previous expert guidance and may limit access to the vaccine for some individuals. Insurance coverage typically follows federal recommendations, but it’s unclear how this new guideline will affect those under 65.
The emergence of a new COVID variant highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and updates in vaccination guidelines to protect public health.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2025/06/04/covid-19-2025-variants-vaccine-cases/84028643007