New COVID variant ‘Nimbus’ spreading in California, causes ‘razor blade throat’

By Admin

23 Jun, 2025

As the world continues to recover from previous waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new and alarming variant has emerged in California   NB1.8.1, commonly referred to as ‘Nimbus’. This highly infectious subvariant of Omicron has triggered concern among health officials due to its severe symptom of intense throat pain, often described as feeling like “razor blades” or “shards of glass” lodged in the throat.

What is the Nimbus Variant?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nimbus belongs to the Omicron family and is proving to be as impactful as the previously dominant LP 8.1 subvariant. Nationwide, Nimbus is responsible for 37% of current COVID-19 cases, and in California alone, it accounts for 55% of all detected cases as of May, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert from UC San Francisco, emphasized the change in symptom patterns. “Before Omicron, most people presented with the usual loss of taste and smell,” he told the LA Times, “but now we’re seeing symptoms like the ‘razor blade throat’ take center stage.”

Wastewater Surveillance: A Warning System

Recent data gathered from wastewater surveillance has further amplified the concerns. Dr. Elizabeth Hudson of Kaiser Permanente Southern California noted variable but concerning levels of viral activity across the state. According to her:

• Santa Barbara: Moderate-to-high levels
  
  

• Ventura & Los Angeles Counties: Low-to-moderate levels
  
  

• Riverside: Low levels
  
  

• San Bernardino: High levels
  
  

The state’s Public Health Department reported a 13% increase in viral loads in wastewater during the 10-day period ending May 30, signaling a growing spread of the virus even before clinical cases rise.

Rising Local Cases

Specific regions are seeing notable upticks:

• Santa Clara County: Increasing levels since the beginning of summer
  
  

• San José: High-levels detected in the sewershed
  
  

• Palo Alto: Medium levels
  
  

• Sunnyvale: Low levels
  
  

• San Francisco: Still relatively low case numbers
  
  

This rise comes during a time of policy uncertainty, as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, now under vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is being criticized for making vaccine access more difficult. In response, 30 prominent medical organizations have issued an open letter urging the public to trust in science and stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, especially during this period of renewed risk.

Conclusion

The emergence of the Nimbus subvariant and its aggressive symptom profile is a wake-up call. With confirmed increases in both wastewater viral loads and reported cases across several Californian counties, public health officials urge citizens to stay vigilant, seek medical care if symptomatic, and follow updated vaccination guidelines. As always, prevention, testing, and informed decision-making remain our strongest defense.