New COVID Subvariant NB.1.8.1 Triggers Global Concerns, 350 Deaths reported

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) – COVID-19 is once again spreading globally. The U.S. health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported that 350 deaths occurred in the past week due to the virus.

It is being reported that a new subvariant of the coronavirus, NB.1.8.1, believed to have originated in China, is wreaking havoc in the U.S. Back in January 2021, the U.S. witnessed nearly 26,000 daily deaths. The subvariant is now spreading rapidly in several Asian countries including China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

The variant was first detected in foreign travelers during airport screenings in the U.S. and has since spread quickly in major cities like New York, California, Washington, and Virginia. It has also reached Japan, South Korea, and France.

One of the reasons being cited for the spread is the waning effectiveness of previous COVID vaccines. According to the CDC, only 23% of people over 18 had received the updated COVID-19 vaccine by April 24. A vaccine expert from Atria Research Institute said that the low vaccination rate is a contributing factor. Even those who received the vaccine may not have developed enough immunity to fight off the new variant.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases are also rising in several Indian states, with the numbers increasing daily.