The world is closely watching a new variant of the coronavirus called Nimbus (NB.1.8.1), which is rapidly spreading in different countries. According to the British publication The Independent, the World Health Organization has put this strain under close surveillance due to the increase in the number of cases and hospitalizations.
According to official data from the UK's Public Health Agency, the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals increased by almost 10% in the week to May 31, to 947 people. At the same time, the number of new cases of infection also increased, by 6.9%, to 1,211 registered patients as of June 4.
The peculiarity of the Nimbus variant is an atypical and very painful symptom. A doctor from a London hospital, Naveed Asif, drew attention to complaints from patients who describe a sore throat as a “razor blade sensation.” Such discomfort occurs when swallowing, especially in the back of the throat. Doctors recommend in this case to rest more, drink enough fluids and take painkillers.
Another doctor, Mohamed Imran Lakhi, told The Mirror that patients with the Nimbus variant often have additional symptoms: fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, runny nose, and in some cases nausea or diarrhea, which was not previously typical for COVID.
Despite the new manifestations, current vaccines remain effective against the Nimbus variant, the WHO assures. However, doctors urge people to closely monitor symptoms, especially a sore throat, and not to delay testing if signs of the disease appear.
