HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS JUMP AS NEW COVID VARIANT HAS 'VERY PAINFUL' SYMPTOM

Hospital admissions for Covid have seen a significant increase as a new variant with a 'painful' symptom emerges in the UK. The new strain of Covid, known as Nimbus, has one specific symptom.

Cases of the variant have been detected in the UK as it begins to dominate globally, having first been identified in January. The World Health Organisation is closely monitoring this new variant, also known as NB.1.8. 1, due to the increase in cases.

The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency reveal that hospitalisations in the UK have surged nearly 10 per cent in the most recent week for which data is available. The statistics show 947 patients were admitted with Covid in the week leading up to May 31 - a rise of 9.4 per cent from the previous week.

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The number of detected cases, despite the lack of widespread testing, stands at 1,211 in the week ending June 4, an increase of 6.9 per cent. The number of deaths was 63, in the week leading up to May 30, down 12.5 per cent from the preceding week, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Vaccines and prior infection have been found to be about half as effective at blocking Nimbus compared to some other strains.

A WHO spokesperson said: "Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against this variant against symptomatic and severe disease. Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation."

Patients are battling with a nasty new symptom dubbed 'razor blade throat' from the latest variant which leaves them grappling with extraordinarily sore throats and in some cases, even loss of voice.

Mohamed Imran Lakhi, Director and Superintendent Pharmacist of Prescription Doctor, observed: "People commonly report a severe sore throat, persistent fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and nasal congestion. Some also experience digestive issues like nausea or diarrhoea, which isn't always typical with Covid variants."

Dr Naveed Asif of The London General Practice warns about a distinctive symptom linked to the NB. 1.8.1 variant – a severe sore throat so painful it's likened to a "razor blade sensation" when swallowing, particularly affecting the back of the throat.

For those grappling with this agonising symptom, the advice remains unchanged: rest up, stay hydrated, and pop some painkillers. Should symptoms persist or worsen, or if you're worried about your own or someone else's health, it's time to ring up your GP or dial 111.

And in cases of severe distress, such as trouble breathing, don't hesitate to call 999.

The UKHSA said: "You might have seen news or social media conversations about the COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, which you might know as the 'Nimbus variant'. NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date, but international data suggests that it is growing as a proportion of all Covid-19 cases. Based on the available information so far however, there is no evidence to suggest that this variant causes more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against it."

While the 'Nimbus' variant has made its way into the UK, the UKHSA points out that it's still quite rare, though it's picking up speed internationally when compared to other Covid-19 cases. Areas affected by NB.1.8. 1 are witnessing a climb in case numbers and hospital visits, yet it's still up in the air whether it packs a punch stronger than earlier strains.

UKHSA advises that if you must leave your home whilst having symptoms of a respiratory infection and either a fever or feeling poorly, you're advised to "avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination.

2025-06-14T08:48:47Z