New COVID variant raises concerns about sore throats

A new COVID-19 variant named Nimbus is linked to painful sore throats but poses low health risks.

New COVID-19 variant causes razor blade sore throats

The Nimbus variant of COVID-19, known for causing sharp throat pain, has been detected in parts of the UK, India, and the eastern Mediterranean. As of late May, it represents nearly 11% of globally sequenced cases, with increases noted particularly in Southeast Asia and the western Pacific. Despite this, health authorities, including the World Health Organization, have stated that there is no evidence suggesting that symptoms from Nimbus are more severe than those from previous variants. Vaccines remain effective against this variant, which is under monitoring but deemed to present a low public health risk.

While the Nimbus variant causes alarming symptoms like razor blade sore throats, the overall threat appears limited. This situation raises questions about how new variants could reshape public perception of COVID-19, especially as confusion about health recommendations persists. The response from health authorities will be crucial in managing public concern and ensuring trust in vaccination efforts as we navigate these developments.

Highlights

Ongoing monitoring of Nimbus will be essential to gauge its true impact.