A new highly infectious strain of COVID-19 is gaining momentum in the world
29 May 06:51
A new highly infectious strain of COVID-19 is spreading around the world. It has already led to a surge in hospitalizations in China, and now it is being reported in the United States. The New York Post writes about it, citing data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
It is indicated that this coronavirus variant, known as NB.1.8.1, was first detected in the United States in March and April 2025 among international travelers.
Currently, the number of reported cases in the United States remains low, making it difficult to properly track the spread of the virus. However, experts warn that with the rapid spread of the new strain in China, it is clear that it is transmitted faster than the previous dominant variants.
CDC tests at airports have shown the extent of the virus’s spread, as travelers infected with this variant have traveled through China, Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
In particular, NB.1.8.1 has become the leading strain in China this year, and cases of infection are increasingly reported in Asian countries. For example, 81 severe cases, including 30 fatalities, have been reported in Hong Kong over the past month. In most cases, people over the age of 65 were affected.
In China itself, the proportion of patients seeking medical care due to COVID-19 has increased from 7.5% to more than 16% over the month.
“We’re seeing a significant increase in hospitalizations in China, Hong Kong and other regions where this variant is actively spreading,” said Dr. Amy Edwards, professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, in an interview with CBS News.
According to her, NB.1.8.1 causes symptoms similar to previous strains – cough, sore throat, fever, and fatigue – but probably has a higher capacity for transmission.
Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, added that the new strain is likely to spread more easily than others.
In turn, Dr. Edwin Tsui, Director of the Hong Kong Health Center, emphasized that this variant of the virus should not be underestimated. According to him, it is likely to have mutated and may partially avoid the immune protection provided by existing COVID-19 vaccines.
