A new strain of Coronavirus, known as Covid variant NB.1.8.1, has been confirmed in several parts of the country, with cases now recorded in England and Northern Ireland. It’s not a return to the early pandemic headlines, but this variant is starting to gain ground globally, now accounting for over 10 per cent of infections worldwide.
NB.1.8.1 appears to be a more efficient spreader than recent variants. While it’s not thought to cause more serious illness, scientists believe it has a growth advantage that allows it to infect people more easily. Some symptoms are typical, sore throat, fatigue, fever, but doctors have also noted an increase in gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and diarrhoea, which haven’t been as prominent in other recent strains.
Public health experts say the current vaccines continue to provide strong protection, particularly against severe outcomes. So far, there’s been no change in guidance or suggestion that new restrictions are on the table. But the variant’s continued rise has been enough to get researchers paying attention, particularly with colder months approaching and testing levels at a low.
NB.1.8.1 was first flagged earlier this year and has since been detected in multiple countries, including the US, Australia, Thailand and across parts of Europe. It has quickly become dominant in China and Hong Kong and is being tracked closely by international virology databases, including GISAID, which monitors genetic variations of viruses. It’s currently listed by the World Health Organization as a “variant under monitoring.”
Tracking remains one of the trickier issues. With most people no longer testing regularly, it’s become difficult to know how many cases are actually circulating. Many are simply managing mild symptoms at home, meaning official figures don’t always reflect what’s happening on the ground. Some experts believe community transmission may be more widespread than data shows.
Despite that, there’s little suggestion of a need to panic. One GP noted that while this variant might find it easier to slip through our existing immunity, it doesn’t seem to be causing more severe disease. The advice remains largely the same – stay home if unwell, be mindful of those around you, and if you’re eligible for a booster, consider taking it up.
If you’re curious about how wider policy continues to adapt in a post-Covid world, take a look at our recent article on modernising paternity leave, which raises questions about workplace flexibility and support for families after years of social change.
For technical updates on the tracking and classification of new Covid strains, GISAID provides an overview of variant trends based on global genome submissions – helpful for anyone who wants to understand how variants are classified as they emerge.
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