Strange new Covid strains sweep America: Unusual symptoms raise alarm

The latest surge in COVID-19 infections is being ignited by two strains: XFB, Stratus, and NB.1.8.1, referred to as Nimbus. Cases have increased sharply in the northeast in the past many weeks.

As per the CDC, Covid wastewater readings, used to measure community virus spread, are cited to be 'moderate.' However, four states are reporting 'very high' levels, showing elevated viral activity.

Unusual Symptoms Reported

Dr Aaron Glatt, an infectious disease specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, cited to Today.com that patients were facing “severe pain, as if their throat is covered with razor blades.”

“While not specific to Covid-19, this expression has been used to describe sore throat symptoms in some patients with the most recent Covid-19 variant,” Dr Glatt cited.

Vaccination and Expert Guidance

Earlier, health officials strongly advised COVID vaccination to prevent infection. However, a CDC vaccine panel recently took against a universal advisory, favoring 'individual decision-making.'

Dr Tyler Evans, an infectious disease expert and former chief medical officer of New York City in the pandemic’s first wave, cited to the Daily Mail: “Covid activity is clearly on the rise again.”

“While we’re in a much better place than in 2020, rising transmission still poses a risk to those with underlying conditions or limited access to care. Concern should lead to preparedness, but not panic.”

Dr Evans also mentioned that the new Nimbus variant spreads rapidly but “is not more severe than earlier forms. It can still be dangerous for older adults, people with chronic conditions, and those with weakened immune systems.”

Common Symptoms

These strains can result in typical COVID-19 symptoms, that includes headaches, coughing, fatigue, a runny or blocked nose, and the previously cited “razor blade” throat. Experts highlight that while the variants may not lead to more critical disease than earlier strains, they spread more easily in regard to genetic mutations.

Dr Laura Malone, director of the Pediatric Post-Covid-19 Rehabilitation Clinic at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, said to The New York Times that moderate infections do not guarantee the absence of long-term impacts:

“Just because you got through your first infection and didn’t develop long Covid, it’s not that you are completely out of the woods,” she said.

FAQs:

Q1. What are the new COVID-19 variants?
The new variants are XFB (Stratus) and NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus), which are now spreading in specific regions.

Q2. Where are infections rising most?
Cases have been elevated initially in the northeastern United States over recent weeks.