Latest news with #NB1.8.1
Scotsman
20 hours ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Covid rules if you test positive this summer
Rules on what to do if you test positive for Covid have changed significantly 🤧 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Summer is finally here, but that doesn't mean Covid is taking a holiday. Cases have been climbing thanks to the latest Nimbus variant. These are the rules to follow if you test positive for Covid this summer. Summer seems like the last time you'd expect to feel under the weather, but many illnesses including Covid continue to spread. Covid cases have been slowly climbing in recent weeks thanks to the Nimbus variant, also known as NB1.8.1. Latest figures from the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), reveal numbers are up 4%, in the week up to June 17, with 1,292 cases now reported. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There has also been a 9.4% rise in Covid patients being admitted to hospital during the same period, with 947 currently receiving treatment. The rules on what to do if you test positive for Covid have changed significantly since the beginning of the pandemic. Here's everything you need to know about what the current rules are, if you can work and how long you could be contagious. This is what happens if you test positive for Covid this summer. | ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images What is the new Covid variant? First detected on January 22, 2025, the new Covid strain, NB.1.8.1, also known as Nimbus, originates from the omicron variant which saw cases spike in 2023. Despite an increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, the WHO have revealed that current data does not indicate that it leads to more severe illness than current variants. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the symptoms of Covid? The symptoms of Covid are similar to that of a cold or flu, most people will start to feel better within a few weeks, however for others it can take longer to recover or can become a more serious illness. Despite the many different variants, the symptoms of Covid have remained the same, symptoms of Covid according to the NHS can include: a high temperature or shivering (chills) a new, continuous cough a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste shortness of breath feeling tired or exhausted an aching body a headache a sore throat a blocked or runny nose loss of appetite diarrhoea feeling sick or being sick What are the rules if you test positive for Covid? There are no Covid restrictions in the UK, gone are the days when you were legally required to self-isolate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Instead, if you test positive with Covid you are advised to try and stay home and avoid contact with people for five days if you are over the age of 18, or three days if you are under the age of 18. You are also advised to avoid meeting those who are more likely to get seriously ill from Covid, such as people with a weakened immune system for 10 days after the day you took your test. Can you go to work if you test positive for Covid? It is not advised that you go to work if you test positive with Covid, as you are recommended to try and stay home and avoid contact with people for five days. The NHS explain that you can go back to any normal activities when you feel better or no longer have a high temperature. How long are you contagious with Covid? You are contagious with Covid usually for five days, which is why the NHS recommend avoiding coming into contact with people during this time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, some people can be infectious up to 10 days from testing positive, which is why it's important to take regular tests and that to stay home until you feel well enough to resume normal activities if you are still experiencing symptoms after five days. For those under 18, you are only contagious for three days, as children and young people tend to be contagious for less time than adults. You can find out more information about Covid symptoms and how long you are contagious at
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Health
- Fast Company
Nimbus COVID update: CDC tracker shows the NB.1.8.1 ‘razor blade throat' variant is now dominant
Earlier this year, a new variant of COVID-19 began spreading globally. Some of those infected with the new variant, nicknamed 'Nimbus,' reported an uncomfortable side effect known as ' razor blade throat.' By spring, the variant was present in the United States, and by May, it began to gain a foothold when compared to other circulating variants. But as of last week, Nimbus has jumped to be the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the U.S. Here's what you need to know. What is Nimbus? As Fast Company previously reported, Nimbus is the nickname given to the NB.1.8.1 lineage of COVID-19. Nimbus is a subvariant of Omicron. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that Nimbus was first detected in January 2025 and soon after began circulating around the globe. The Nowcast tracker operated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that by the week ending March 15, NB.1.8.1 was already detected in America. At that point, it accounted for a minuscule amount of COVID-19 cases in the country. Yet by the week ending April 26, NB.1.8.1 accounted for about 2% of all cases. In May, Nimbus began to assert its rise to dominance. By the week ending May 10, NB.1.8.1 had risen to 5% of cases in the United States. That share jumped to 10% by May 24. By the week ending June 7, NB.1.8.1 accounted for 24% of COVID-19 cases in America, and, most recently, for the week ending June 21, it accounted for 43% of all COVID-19 cases in America, making it the now dominant variant in the U.S. Which U.S. states is Nimbus in? Just because Nimbus is now the most dominant COVID-19 variant in America doesn't mean it is circulating in all states. But it also could be. The uncertainty of where Nimbus is circulating is because a lower number of sequences are being reported to the CDC than in the past. This makes it harder for the CDC to determine where and to what extent COVID-19 variants are spreading in America. Because of this lack of sequencing reporting, the CDC cautions that its Nowcast data's 'precision in the most recent reporting period is low.' Arizona California Colorado Hawaii Illinois Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Nebraska New Jersey New York Ohio Rhode Island Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington That is four more states than GISAID data showed NB.1.8.1 earlier in June. The four new states where the variant has been detected this time around are Michigan, Nebraska, Texas, and Utah. What are the symptoms of NB.1.8.1 Nimbus? The symptoms of Nimbus are much the same as other symptoms of COVID-19. However, there are reports of people saying they feel more harsh throat pain with Nimbus than with previous variants. This throat pain is nicknamed 'razor blade throat' because it feels like you are swallowing razor blades. Symptoms can include: Body aches Congestion Cough Fatigue Fever or chills Headache Loss of smell Loss of taste Runny nose Shortness of breath Sore throat What can I do to protect myself from Nimbus? The precautionary measures you can take to mitigate the risk of contracting Nimbus are the same as those you would take for any other COVID-19 variant. The CDC says these measures include: Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines Practicing good hygiene Make sure there is fresh, circulating air flowing through any spaces you are in. One way to help circulate fresh air through a space is by opening windows at home or in the office Precautionary steps are important as Nimbus, like previous COVID variants, can be deadly. According to WHO data from the seven-day period ending June 8, there were 228 reported COVID-19-related deaths globally. A majority of those deaths—128 of them—occurred in the United States.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A new COVID variant is spreading in the US: What are the symptoms?
A new COVID-19 variant that was unheard of just months ago is now projected to be the second-most common strain in the U.S. Variant NB.1.8.1 was first detected in China in January but accounted for about 0% of cases in the U.S. until May. By early June, it was estimated to account for up to 37%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The World Health Organization (WHO) evaluated the additional public health risk posed by the variant as "low at the global level in a May report, in which it also advised that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are "expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease." Here's what we know about NB.1.8.1. 'Razor blade throat': What to know about COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 NB.1.8.1 is one of the latest variants of COVID-19, a "slightly upgraded version" of the LP.8.1 variant that is prominent right now, Subhash Verma, microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, previously told USA TODAY in May. The new variant was first detected in January in China. As of mid-May, the variant had reached 10.7% of global reported COVID-19 cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Verma previously said NB.1.8.1 may be able to be transferred more easily than LP.8.1. Additionally, he said that NB.1.8.1 is able to evade antibodies created by vaccines or past infections more easily than LP.8.1. "NB.1.8.1 is likely to spread more rapidly and evade our immune defenses more easily than LP.8.1, which is why this variant requires careful monitoring," Verma said. For a two-week period starting on May 25 and ending on June 7, the CDC's Nowcast estimates tracker shows projections for the different COVID-19 variants. According to the latest CDC data, the NB.1.8.1 strain is projected to be the second highest in the U.S., making up 37% of the total cases recorded in the U.S. The most common strain is LP.8.1, also known as Omicron, which accounts for 38% of cases, followed by NB.1.8.1 with 37%, XFG with 8%, XFC making up 7%, and LF.7.9 with 4%. The prominence of NB.1.8.1 in the U.S. has significantly increased in recent weeks, accounting for 0% of cases through March before reaching 2% in April, 5% in early May and 15% by late May. The CDC has not outlined symptoms that are specific to the NB.1.8.1. variant. Verma said that NB.1.8.1 symptoms appear similar to those of earlier COVID-19 variants. However, an extremely sore throat, colloquially called "razor blade throat," has been associated with the new variant. People with the variant have reported a feeling akin to their throats being covered with razor blades, according to the Los Angeles Times, Fox News, SF Gate, and other news outlets. Many people have also taken to social media to describe the "razor blade throat." The CDC outlines the following as common COVID-19 symptoms: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Sore throat Congestion or a runny nose New loss of taste or smell Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache Nausea or vomiting The CDC advises seeking medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms: Trouble breathing Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion Inability to wake or stay awake Depending on skin tone, lips, nail beds and skin may appear pale, gray or blue The World Health Organization states that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against the NB.1.8.1 variant. In a webpage dated Jan. 7, 2025, the CDC advises that everyone over the age of six months get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, specifically the 2024-2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. It also suggests that people who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, are age 65 and older, are immunocompromised, live at a long-term care facility, are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, and/or want to avoid getting long COVID, should get the vaccine, especially. However, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on May 27 that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that broke with previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process. Under the changes, the only people who will be recommended for COVID-19 vaccines are those over 65 and people with existing health problems. This could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, including health care workers and healthy people under 65 with a vulnerable family member or those who want to reduce their short-term risk of infection. This could mean that some who still wish to receive the vaccine may have to pay out of pocket, if they are able to access it at all. It is not yet known how accessible the COVID-19 vaccine will be moving forward. Increasing Community Access to Testing, Treatment and Response (ICATT), a federal program, continues to provide free COVID-19 testing to individuals without health insurance. According to the CDC, as of May 27, more than 19,000 locations across the country offer free testing. To find a location near you that offers free testing, visit This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New COVID variant spreading in US: 2025 symptoms, what to know
Medscape
23-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
WHO Eyes Emerging COVID-19 Variant
A new variant of COVID-19 is on the rise globally, but the overall risk to the public remains low, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the variant, NB.1.8.1, is increasing in proportion to other circulating variants, routine clinical surveillance data have not yielded any signs of increased severity associated with NB.1.8.1 compared to previously circulating variants, the WHO noted in the report. In a logistic regression model comparing NB.1.8.1 to LP.8.1.1, NB.1.8.1 had an estimated higher relative growth advantage than co-circulating variants, according to the WHO. However, no evidence has appeared of increased COVID-19-related hospital admissions, deaths per hospitalizations, or all-cause mortality associated with the variant, the WHO report stated. What to Look for The symptoms of the NB.1.8.1 variant appear to be similar to prior variants of the virus, with such presenting symptoms as fever, headache, cough, runny nose, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, said Shirin Mazumder, MD, an infectious diseases specialist in Memphis, Tennessee, in an interview. 'Sore throat is a common symptom of COVID-19 that occurs in upward of 70% of patients,' said Mazumder. Although some reports describe the sore throat associated with NB.1.8.1 as 'razor blade' in terms of severity, whether this symptom is distinctive of the new variant remains unclear, she noted. As for any added severity, the NB.1.8.1 variant does not appear to cause more severe disease, Mazumder told Medscape Medical News. 'Although most people will recover after a COVID-19 infection, some will require hospital admission, and some will go on to develop long COVID, which we have seen with other variants,' she said. However, overall hospitalizations resulting from COVID-19 in the US are currently stable, she added. Current Vaccine Still Recommended The WHO's Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition regularly assesses how well the available COVID-19 vaccines are performing against any variants. Currently, the group advises that monovalent JN.1 or KP.2 are appropriate COVID-19 vaccine antigens, with monovalent LP.8.1 as an alternative vaccine antigen. To date, no studies have reported any impact of NB.1.8.1 on clinical outcomes, and no available evidence suggests resistance to nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid), according to the WHO. However, the effectiveness of the current COVID vaccine against this variant remains unclear at present, Mazumder told Medscape Medical News. 'There are some reports that the NB.1.8.1 variant exhibits signs of immune escape, which may lower the immunity provided by vaccines and prior infection,' she noted. Yet, the variant is descended from the omicron lineage for which the current vaccine is effective, and ideally it will retain some prevention activity against NB.1.8.1 as well, she said. Mazumder had no financial conflicts to disclose.
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Malaysia records first Covid death of 2025
Malaysia saw its first Covid death of 2025 earlier this month, health authorities said. The health ministry noted that this was the first Covid fatality since 26 May last year. The deceased had heart disease and diabetes and hadn't taken a second booster shot. 'This marks a significant decline compared to 57 Covid deaths reported in 2024, with the last fatality recorded on May 26 last year,' the ministry said in a statement on Thursday. From January to 15 June this year, Malaysia recorded 21,738 cumulative Covid cases, with the weekly average holding at about 900, The Rakyat Post reported. The ministry reported a sharp 68 per cent week-on-week increase with 3,379 cases from 8 to 15 June compared to 2,011 the week prior. Despite the rise, the ministry stressed the national situation remained stable and well below the alert threshold. At least six individuals with underlying health conditions had been admitted to ICU. 'All cases were closely monitored with care, with all patients discharged from the ICUs. Four were allowed to return home, with two transferred to normal wards,' the ministry said. The new Nimbus Covid strain (NB.1.8.1) is rapidly spreading around the world and is being closely monitored by the World Health Organisation. This strain is linked to a rise in infections in several parts of Asia, including India, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore. First recognised in January 2025, NB.1.8.1, an omicron variant, is now the dominant variant in China and Hong Kong. It has also spread to the US and Australia. ' SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics,' a WHO spokesperson said earlier. 'At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. In February, circulation of XEC began to decline while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as NB.1.8.1 is increasingly being detected.' By late April, NB.1.8.1 comprised about 10.7 per cent of submitted sequences globally, according to the WHO, up from just 2.5 per cent a month before. The WHO has designated Nimbus as a Variant Under Monitoring. Preliminary data suggests that Nimbus spreads more rapidly than earlier variants. Reported symptoms commonly include a sharp, razor-like sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and nasal congestion. However, the public health risk posed by this variant is evaluated as low at the global level. 'Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data don't indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation,' the WHO said. Although it may not be particularly severe, Nimbus may infect people more easily than earlier variants. There's some evidence that the variant binds more tightly to human cells. The ministry of health urged all Malaysians to stay protected by adhering to the recommended vaccination schedules outlined in the National Immunisation Programme.
