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| source : latimes.com |
Just when we thought COVID might finally fade into the background of our lives, a new variant is making waves in California. And yes, there's growing concern it could lead to a summer spike in cases.
No, this isn’t fear-mongering. It’s just a heads-up from people like me who are still tracking the science, and from public health experts who are already seeing signs of change.
So here’s what’s really going on (minus the jargon and panic):
Meet NB.1.8.1, The New Variant on the Block
Say hello to NB.1.8.1, a subvariant of Omicron, which we’re all too familiar with by now.
This little guy started showing up in California around mid-March, and by May 29, it made up 19% of all COVID cases in the state. Just a month earlier, it was only 2%.
Let that sink in: From 2% to 19% in just a few weeks. That’s not just a blip. That’s a trend.
According to the California Department of Public Health, NB.1.8.1 carries six mutations in its spike protein, which may give it a leg up when it comes to spreading.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has tracked 518 cases in 22 countries, including the U.S. But experts believe the actual number is much higher, because unless you’re getting full genomic sequencing (which most of us aren’t), there’s no way to know which variant you’ve caught.
Are the Symptoms Any Different?
Short answer? Not really.
Health officials say the symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are pretty much the same as earlier strains. So if you catch it, you might experience:
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Fever or chills
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Cough
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Shortness of breath
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Fatigue
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Muscle aches
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Headache
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Loss of taste or smell
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Sore throat
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Congestion
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Nausea or diarrhea
The good news (and yes, we need some): WHO says the disease severity doesn’t seem worse than previous variants. So while this strain might be spreading fast, it’s not acting more aggressively, at least for now.
Are Current Vaccines Still Working?
Thankfully, yes, current vaccines are still expected to offer strong protection against NB.1.8.1, especially when it comes to severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
If you haven’t gotten the latest COVID shot (released fall 2024), now’s a good time to check if you’re eligible. Anyone aged 6 months and older can get it, and staying up to date can help reduce your chances of catching or spreading the virus.
Just keep in mind: COVID tests will tell you if you’re positive for the virus, but they won’t reveal which variant you’ve got. The FDA is still monitoring test effectiveness across emerging strains, but for now, a positive test is a positive test, variant details don’t really change how you should respond.
But Wait, Why Do We Even See COVID Spikes in Summer?
It feels weird, right? We usually associate respiratory viruses with winter, but COVID doesn’t follow all the same rules.
According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, summer spikes tend to come from:
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Increased travel
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Indoor social events (hello, air conditioning)
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Waning immunity
In other words: It's not the cold weather, it’s the closer contact and slipping immunity that creates the perfect storm.
And after a few quiet months, our immune systems might be a bit rusty, especially if it’s been a while since your last booster.
So What Should We Do About It?
Here’s a reality check: We’re probably not going back to lockdowns or mandates. But we can still take smart precautions, especially if you're:
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Traveling
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Visiting vulnerable family members
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Immunocompromised
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Pregnant (yep, vaccines are still strongly recommended in this case!)
Even small things help, like masking in crowded indoor spaces, getting that fall booster, or keeping a few rapid tests on hand.
And please: don’t let pandemic fatigue lull you into thinking COVID is over. It’s not. It’s just evolved, and so should our response.
Final Thought
I get it, we’re tired. All of us. But new variants like NB.1.8.1 are a reminder that the virus isn’t tired of us yet.
This isn’t about panic. It’s about being prepared without being paranoid, especially if you have travel plans, young kids, or just want to avoid getting wiped out mid-summer.
We’ve learned a lot over the last few years. Let’s not forget it now.