U.S. Detects New COVID-19 Variant Tied to China Surge, CDC Notes Low Case Count
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently identified instances of a new COVID-19 variant, designated as NB.1.8.1, which has been associated with a notable increase in cases within China. According to a CDC spokesperson, the variant has been detected in the United States, albeit with a limited number of cases that have not yet reached the threshold necessary for inclusion on the CDC’s official data tracker.
Although the CDC has confirmed the presence of the NB.1.8.1 variant in the U.S., the agency has not verified reports of detection through its airport screening program, as noted in a CBS News article. The CDC has emphasized that it continues to monitor all sequences of the virus and will update its data tracker if the variant’s prevalence increases.
Concurrently, the CDC has observed a decline in emergency room visits for influenza, COVID, and RSV, indicating that the current levels of these illnesses are