A new COVID-19 variant, officially designated NB.1.8.1 and nicknamed “Nimbus,” is spreading quickly across the globe and is now under monitoring by the World Health Organization. First identified in January, the variant has since appeared in over 20 countries and jumped from 2.5% to around 11% of global cases by mid-May. Nimbus is reported to be significantly more transmissible—some lab analyses suggest it spreads 15–20% faster than dominant Omicron subvariants. 

One of the most concerning symptoms being reported is an unusually severe sore throat described as a “razor blade throat,” with patients likening the pain to swallowing glass. However, health experts caution that it's still unclear whether this symptom is unique to Nimbus.

Overall, symptoms are consistent with earlier variants and include fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and occasional gastrointestinal issues. Health authorities emphasize that current vaccines and antiviral treatments remain effective against this variant.