The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the presence of a new, highly infectious COVID-19 variant in the United States, including New York City. The variant, known as NB.1.81, was initially detected in the U.S. in late March and early April among international travelers arriving at airports in California, Washington State, Virginia, and New York City. Additional cases have since been reported in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.
The CDC has stated that the number of cases in the U.S. is currently too small to be accurately tracked in the agency’s variant estimates. However, experts are raising concerns due to the variant’s rapid spread in China, where it has become the dominant strain. The variant has led to a significant increase in COVID-19 cases across Asia, with China experiencing a surge in hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
Hong Kong authorities have reported a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, reaching the highest levels in at least a year. This surge has been attributed to the NB.1.81 variant, which has resulted in 81 severe cases in the past month, including 30 deaths. The majority of these cases have been among adults aged 65 and older.
In mainland China, the percentage of patients visiting the ER due to COVID-19 has more than doubled in the past month, from 7.5% to over 16%, according to public health authorities. The percentage of people hospitalized for COVID-19 in China has also doubled, reaching over 6%.
Despite these statistics, the Beijing-controlled government in Hong Kong has downplayed the severity of the variant, stating that it does not appear to be more dangerous than previous variants. However, experts warn that the variant’s rapid spread in China, Hong Kong, and other areas indicates an increase in hospitalizations.
The CDC’s airport tests have revealed the extent of the variant’s spread, with infected travelers having passed through China, Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Like other forms of COVID-19, the variant can cause symptoms such as coughing, a sore throat, fever, and fatigue.
Experts have noted that the new variant appears to spread more easily, although it does not seem to be more severe. However, Dr. Edwin Tsui, the head of Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection, has warned that the variant should not be taken lightly, as evidence suggests it may have evolved to further evade the protections of COVID vaccines.
The CDC has recently announced that it will no longer recommend that healthy children and pregnant women receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This decision comes as the Trump administration plans to limit annual booster vaccines to seniors and other high-risk groups.