Highly Contagious COVID Variant Spreading Across Asia Detected in New York City and Several U.S. States

NEW YORK – A newly emerging COVID-19 variant that has triggered a sharp increase in hospital visits across China has now reached the United States, including confirmed cases in New York City, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The variant, labeled NB.1.81, was initially identified in late March and early April among international travelers arriving at airports in states including California, New York, Virginia, and Washington. Additional cases have since surfaced in Ohio, Hawaii, and Rhode Island.

Health experts say the number of confirmed U.S. infections is still relatively low, making it difficult to assess the variant’s exact spread. However, early signs suggest that NB.1.81 is highly contagious, potentially outpacing previously dominant strains.

“This version of the virus seems to have a transmission advantage,” noted Dr. Subhash Verma, an immunologist at the University of Nevada. “That means it spreads more efficiently.”

Although there’s no evidence yet that NB.1.81 causes more serious illness, public health officials are monitoring the situation closely. In Asia, especially China and Hong Kong, the variant has been associated with a sharp increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations — particularly among older adults.

In mainland China, the percentage of ER patients testing positive for COVID reportedly more than doubled in a month, and hospital admissions have followed a similar trend. Hong Kong officials recently disclosed the worst COVID-related surge seen there in over a year, including dozens of serious cases and multiple deaths, mostly among those 65 and older.

Despite these developments, Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have downplayed the danger, asserting that NB.1.81 doesn’t appear more severe than earlier versions of the virus. Still, some officials caution that it may be better at slipping past vaccine protections.

Dr. Edwin Tsui, who leads Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection, said the variant’s characteristics warrant ongoing global attention, especially given its potential to evolve further. “We are staying vigilant and prepared for the possibility of more aggressive or vaccine-resistant mutations,” he said.

The CDC’s airport screening efforts have linked the spread of NB.1.81 to travelers from a broad range of countries, including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, France, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Symptoms associated with the new strain are similar to those of previous COVID variants, such as cough, fever, sore throat, and fatigue.

Meanwhile, U.S. federal health policy is also shifting. The administration has announced plans to scale back COVID booster recommendations, prioritizing older adults and those at higher risk. Additionally, the CDC said this week it will stop recommending routine COVID vaccination for healthy children and pregnant women.

Since the start of the pandemic, the virus has been responsible for over 1.2 million deaths in the United States.