New 'Razor Blade Throat' COVID Variant Is Fueling a Summer Surge

There is a new COVID-19 variant in town, and it goes by the name of "razor blade throat." Here is what you need to know about the latest strain of the coronavirus, and why wastewater testing is leading the way in early detection.

Wastewater Sampling Signals COVID-19 Summer Surge is Imminent

The latest COVID-19 strain, officially known as NB.1.8.1. or Nimbus, is surging across the world. The variant is distinguished by intense sore throat pain. The infiltration of the newest global COVID strain is happening at the same time as cases begin to rise in the U.S.

Although national COVID-19 activity in the U.S. remains on the low end, wastewater monitoring sites are indicating that the virus is starting to spread more readily on the regional level. Health experts warn that most patients with mild symptoms no longer test, meaning that it is difficult to get a true handle on the scope of the spread.

This is why wastewater samples are beneficial in detecting early spread, as this testing picks up viral shedding from even those who may not know they are sick. As such, scientists are increasingly turning to this detection method as it provides a more comprehensive look at community spread when compared to positive tests.

The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both indicate that NB.1.8.1 is now the most dominant lineage in the world over the last 28 days. The increase in wastewater detection in the U.S. lines up with the typical summer surge that has been documented over the last six years at about this time of the year.

It is important to note that the rise of the Nimbus variant does not necessarily translate to a jump in the severity of the virus. Instead, the data simply demonstrates that there is a higher chance of coming into contact with an infected individual during everyday life. It could also take some time before clinical dashboard data catches up with what the wastewater detection is telling us about the level of spread.

There is no specific guidance tailored to the latest strain. Public-health agencies and doctors continue to advise following the standard COVID-19 mitigation strategies, including using high-quality masks in crowded situations during times of spread, staying home when feeling ill, and staying current on vaccination recommendations.

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