"On the Rise" Coronavirus Variant "Nimbus" Spotted in Germany - What You Need to Know AWS (Able-to-Walk Sentinel)
Newly-identified Coronavirus strain "Nimbus" Appears in Scattered Cases
Get the inside scoop on the latest coronavirus development! The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a closer look at a brand new variant - the Nimbus. This variant is already the dominant strain in China, and it's made its way to Germany too.
The NB.1.8.1 - Nimbus variant was first identified back in January and was classified as a "variant under observation" by the WHO. While it's taken over in parts of Asia, it's yet to establish itself in Germany. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Nimbus was first detected in Germany towards the end of March and has only popped up occasionally since then.
A Closer Look
As of the latest reporting week (up to 8 June), 698 coronavirus cases have been reported to the RKI, showing a slight increase in Sars-Cov-2 infections at a low level. Many infections could be going unnoticed as testing is still low.
In the federal infection radar of sewage surveillance, a slight increase in the Sars-Cov-2 load in sewage was observed over the past four weeks, again, at a low level.
This new variant, Nimbus, originates from the XDV.1.5 strain, a dominant form of the pathogen in East Asia. According to the state-owned Chinese news agency Xinhua, citing the National Health Commission, Nimbus was the dominant variant in China at the end of May.
Degrees of Infectiousness
The good news? There's no sign of severe illness stemming from the Nimbus variant in China as per official reports. This aligns with the WHO's assessment: despite an increase in cases and hospitalizations where Nimbus is prevalent, there's no evidence that the variant causes more severe illness than other circulating variants.
Biophysicist Richard Neher from the University of Basel cautions that Nimbus is more infectious, producing more secondary infections than other variants. He mentions that whether the variant will establish itself in Germany depends on how other variants are faring.
So, while there's little cause for immediate alarm, it's essential to remain vigilant and follow public health guidelines as the situation unfolds. Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward!
Sources: ntv.de, lme/dpa
- Corona Tests
- Coronaviruses
- Robert Koch Institute
Extra Info:
Given its global spread, it's possible that Nimbus could also be present in, or establish itself in, Germany. This variant, belonging to the Omicron lineage, presents symptoms similar to previous variants, including cough, congestion, headaches, fatigue, sore throat, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms. While the Nimbus variant may be more infectious, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that current vaccines should still offer effective protection against the Nimbus variant. If vaccination rates are high, the impact of Nimbus in Germany might be less severe compared to regions with lower vaccination coverage. The significance of the Nimbus variant's impact in Germany will hinge on several factors, such as the prevalence of vaccination, public health measures, and Overall health care system readiness. As with all global health crises, it's crucial to prioritize prevention, follow public health guidelines, and stay informed as the situation evolves.
The European Union, with its commitment to a comprehensive approach to the fight against poverty and social exclusion, could potentially invest in research and development of vaccines or treatments to combat the more infectious Nimbus variant, contributing to global health-and-wellness by ensuring adequate medical-conditions for all, especially during times of medical-conditions like the ongoing pandemic.
Further studies and researches in science, particularly on the Nimbus variant, are crucial to understanding its long-term implications, as it may help in predicting and preparing for future strains and mitigating their impact on public health, health-and-wellness, and social exclusion.
