New COVID subvariant cases detected in Washington
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More than a dozen cases of a new COVID-19 subvariant — NB.1.8.1 — have been detected in Washington, according to federal surveillance data.
Why it matters: The variant has been gaining ground globally, according to the World Health Organization, and first appeared in the U.S. in March and April.
Driving the news: Fourteen cases of NB.1.8.1 have been genetically sequenced in Washington based on global tracking data as of last week, according to an emailed statement from the Washington Department of Health.
- The earliest sample was collected on April 7, and the most recent on May 20, per DOH.
- One of the cases was detected in a traveler at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after the person voluntarily provided a nasal swab on May 15 for the CDC's variant tracking program, the Washington State Standard reported.
State of play: Washington's ability to spot new COVID variants early is more limited than in past years due to a steep drop in community testing and a shift toward at-home antigen tests, DOH said Monday in an emailed statement.
- Thirteen of the 14 detections came from Ginkgo Bioworks, which screens travelers at Sea-Tac for the CDC.
- One case was flagged by the U.S. Air Force School of Medicine.
- It's unclear in all 14 detections whether the individuals live in Washington or spent time in the state after testing, per DOH.
Threat level: NB.1.8.1 has been flagged by WHO as a variant under monitoring because of its rising spread, but health officials say the public risk remains low, with no signs of increased disease severity.
- Current vaccines are still expected to offer protection against serious illness, per WHO.