Alert: More Transmissible COVID Variant Has Made Landfall in the U.S.

First detected in China in January, scientists and physicians knew it would most likely make its way to America.

They were correct because it's officially here.

According to the Huff Post website, this new COVID-19 variant accounts for 10% of the SARS-CoV-2 sequences tested from around the world, jumping up from just 2.5% four weeks ago.

To briefly get technical, it's officially labeled the NB.1.8.1. Currently, the dominant variant is LB.8.1.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NB.1.8.1 has a handful of new mutations that appear to enhance its ability to bind to your cells more easily and quickly.

DISEASE X: Why This Mystery is Now a Major Concern for the U.S.

This means this new variant may be able to dodge some of your immune defenses.

The agency suspects these mutations will increase the virus’s transmissibility and, potentially, diminish the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies that prevent pathogens from latching to our cells.

 

According to the Huff Post, this is nerve-wracking to hear as scientists and infectious disease specialists get to understand this new COVID-19 variant, as it's just now making the rounds in America.

The good news is that at least there are no glaring differences between the symptoms of NB.1.8.1 and those caused by other versions of SARS-CoV-2.

The most concerning symptom is difficulty breathing.

COVID HALLMARK SYMPTOMS

• Persistent, dry cough
• Nasal congestion

OTHER COVID SYMPTOMS

• Fatigue and tiredness
• Fever
• Chills
• Sore Throat
• Achy muscles

It’s too early to know exactly how effective the shots are — as the research on NB.1.8.1 is limited since it’s so new — but scientists expect the shots to hold up well. The ability of the vaccines to prevent severe illness is intact though protection versus infection is limited and transient.

According to the Huff Post, if you think you have COVID-19 and are at risk for severe disease and are immune-compromised, call your doctor.