Los Angeles, California – COVID-19 cases are climbing in California as a new subvariant, NB.1.8.1 — also called Nimbus — quickly spreads across the state. Its signature symptom? A severe sore throat that some describe as feeling like swallowing razor blades.
While “razor blade throat” isn’t new, it’s becoming more common, especially in reports from China. “People are focusing on these other aspects of symptoms,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco. He explained that sore throats have taken over from earlier signs like loss of taste and smell. It sounds rough.
Nimbus now makes up over half of California’s COVID cases, a sharp jump from just 2% in April, according to the state’s Department of Public Health. Nationally, it’s battling with another Omicron offshoot, LP.8.1, both accounting for nearly 40% of cases. Wastewater data from Southern California shows mixed results: Santa Barbara has moderate-to-high viral levels, San Bernardino is showing high activity, and L.A. County has seen a 13% rise in viral concentrations recently.
Northern California isn’t spared. Santa Clara County is seeing “high” levels in the San José sewer shed and “medium” in Palo Alto. Statewide, wastewater signals place the virus at a “medium” level — up from April’s “low” readings.
This spike coincides with major federal policy changes that could impact public health. The Trump administration, now led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has rolled back several long-standing CDC COVID vaccine guidelines. Under the new rules, pregnant women are no longer advised to get vaccinated unless they consult a doctor, and broad vaccine recommendations have been scaled back.
Doctors are deeply concerned. “We are absolutely in uncharted territory here,” said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a Stanford pediatric infectious disease specialist who was recently dismissed from the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel. Dr. Chin-Hong added, “This [is] a dark period for everyone right now.”
Leaders from California, Oregon, and Washington slammed the federal changes. Governor Gavin Newsom called the dismissals “deeply troubling,” warning they could damage vaccine access and erode public trust.
Health departments, including those in L.A. County, continue to urge people to stick with current health guidance.
