COVID-19 Cases Climb as New Variant Emerges
COVID-19 is making headlines again, with a fresh variant—NB.1.8.1—causing a rise in cases across parts of the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) is keeping a close eye on the situation, but here’s what you need to know right now.
Where Are Cases Rising?
The latest data shows that COVID-19 cases are climbing in the eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and western Pacific regions. Some countries in these areas are also seeing more hospitalizations.
Airport screenings in the United States have already detected the NB.1.8.1 variant in travelers arriving from these regions, with cases popping up in California, Washington, Virginia, and New York.
What Is the NB.1.8.1 Variant?
NB.1.8.1 is the newest COVID-19 variant under monitoring by the WHO. By mid-May, it made up nearly 11% of sequenced cases worldwide. While it’s spreading, there’s good news: the WHO considers the global public health risk to be low, and current vaccines are still expected to work well against it.
Is the New Variant More Dangerous?
So far, there’s no evidence that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness than previous versions. The dominant strain in the U.S. and around the world remains LP.8.1, but health officials are watching NB.1.8.1 closely for any changes.
What’s Changing in the U.S.?
In a surprising move, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. Many public health experts have raised concerns about this decision, especially as new variants continue to emerge.
The Bottom Line
COVID-19 is still evolving, and new variants like NB.1.8.1 are reminders to stay informed. While the risk remains low for now, experts recommend keeping up with vaccine guidance and following updates from health authorities.
