New ‘razor blade throat’ COVID subvariant quickly gains ground in California

SF Gate A new COVID-19 variant, nicknamed Nimbus, is rising around the world — including in California — and known for giving “razor blade throat” symptoms. Officially called NB.1.8.1, the variant was labeled a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization on May 23, according to a recent report. That means it’s not currently a major threat; however, it’s spreading fast enough to raise flags. As of late April, it made up 10.7% of global COVID-19 samples, a jump from 2.5% just a month earlier. Officially called NB.1.8.1, the variant was labeled a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization on May 23, according to a recent report. That means it’s not currently a major threat; however, it’s spreading fast enough to raise flags. As of late April, it made up 10.7% of global COVID-19 samples, a jump from 2.5% just a month earlier.