COVID Razor Throat: California Subvariant Surge
- A new COVID-19 subvariant is gaining traction in California, raising concerns among health officials.
- The California Department of Public Health noted the increase of the Nimbus subvariant since May.
- The "razor blade throat" symptom,while not entirely new,is receiving increased attention as the Nimbus subvariant causes surges in other countries.
California faces a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the nimbus subvariant, bringing a concerning symptom: “razor blade throat.” Health officials are on alert as the subvariant quickly becomes dominant, accounting for over half of circulating viruses. Discover how increased wastewater levels and rising test positivity rates across the state are signaling a potential health crisis. The emergence of this new COVID-19 variant, and its unusual symptoms, underscores the continued evolution of the virus. News Directory 3 and health experts are closely tracking the spread and severity, with research underway to understand the full impact of this new threat. Stay informed about the latest in California’s fight against COVID and learn how current conditions compare to prior surges. Discover what’s next …
California Sees Rise in COVID Cases, “Razor Blade Throat” Symptoms
A new COVID-19 subvariant is gaining traction in California, raising concerns among health officials. The subvariant, known as “Nimbus,” is associated with reports of a notably painful sore throat, described by some as feeling like “razor blades.”
The California Department of Public Health noted the increase of the Nimbus subvariant since May. Projections indicate it now accounts for 55% of circulating virus in California, a notable jump from just 2% in April.
The “razor blade throat” symptom,while not entirely new,is receiving increased attention as the Nimbus subvariant causes surges in other countries. Dr. Peter chin-Hong, an infectious-disease expert at UC San Francisco, observed that early COVID symptoms frequently enough included loss of taste and smell, but now, with fewer hospitalizations, symptoms like severe sore throats are more prominent.
The rise of the Nimbus subvariant is contributing to increased COVID-19 activity in some areas. Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, confirmed the rise of the NB.1.8.1 variant, elevated coronavirus levels in wastewater, and an uptick in test positivity rates.
Wastewater surveillance reveals varying levels across Southern California, according to Hudson. Santa Barbara watersheds report moderate-to-high levels, Ventura and Los Angeles counties show low-to-moderate levels, Riverside indicates low levels, while San Bernardino is experiencing high activity.
Los Angeles County has also observed an increase in coronavirus levels in sewage, though viral concentrations remain relatively low.the local Department of Public Health reported a 13% increase in viral levels in wastewater for the 10-day period ending May 30, compared to a similar period ending May 9.
Additionally, the rate of positive COVID surveillance tests in L.A. County has slightly increased, reaching 5% for the most recent week, up from 3.8% in early May.However, COVID-related emergency room visits remain low in Los Angeles County.
San Francisco’s Department of Public Health reported that COVID-19 illness rates remain low.
What’s next
Health officials continue to monitor the spread of the Nimbus subvariant and encourage residents to stay informed about COVID-19 trends in their communities. further research is underway to assess the severity and transmissibility of the new subvariant.