New COVID Variant ‘Nimbus’ Linked to Severe Sore Throat as Summer Cases Tick Up
A newly emerging COVID-19 variant, officially designated NB.1.8.1 and nicknamed “Nimbus,” is drawing increasing attention from public health officials and medical experts as it spreads across the globe. First identified in early 2025, the variant has now been detected in over 20 countries, including the United States, where it is contributing to a subtle yet noticeable rise in summer COVID-19 cases. The World Health Organization classified NB.1.8.1 as a “variant under monitoring” in late May, signaling concern over its potential to spread more easily or evade some immune responses. While there is currently no indication that Nimbus causes more severe disease than previous Omicron subvariants, it has introduced a particularly painful symptom that is getting wide attention: a sore throat so intense that some patients have described it as feeling like swallowing razor blades or glass. Health professionals note that sore throat has long been a common COVID-19 symptom, particularly i...