A new COVID-19 strain is on the rise in California, and it comes with a symptom known as "razor blade throat."
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Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from UC San Francisco told KNX News' Karen Adams that the Nimbus variant, as it's been dubbed, is highly contagious.
"It's not only that we're seeing it in California, the rate of increase is really striking," he said. "When I checked, like, you know, a few weeks ago, it was less than 5% [of all cases], probably 2%. And now it's 55%."
He said this strain doesn't seem to cause more serious disease than previous variants, although it's known for causing a severely painful sore throat. And because it's related to the previous JN1 strain, the current vaccines will still work to prevent hospitalization and death.
Dr. Chin-Hong recommends a booster shot for pregnant women and people over 65, especially in light of new guidance from Health Secretary and noted anti-vax conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr, which could make it harder for people to get the shots.
"I'd say go ahead and get it because I'm not really sure what the eligibility would be in the fall, and it certainly wouldn't be dangerous to get an updated shot later on in the year," Dr. Chin-Hong said.
COVID-19 levels in wastewater samples are at a medium level across California.
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