New COVID variant is spreading across the US. Is a summer spike ahead for NC?

Health officials are raising concerns about a fast-emerging COVID-19 variant that could trigger a spike in infections in North Carolina this summer.

NB.1.8.1 is the latest variant detected by health officials. So far, there have been 518 cases of the variant across 20 countries, including the U.S., according to the World Health Organization.

It’s a subvariant of the Omicron lineage, descending specifically from JN.1, the WHO says.

The Charlotte Observer spoke to Dr. David Weber, an infectious disease specialist at the UNC School of Medicine, to find out whether the new variant is in North Carolina, and if it’s more contagious than previous iterations.

Here’s what you need to know about how to protect yourself against the virus:

Has the new COVID variant reached NC?

Maybe. Weber said he isn’t aware of any confirmed infections related to the new variant in North Carolina, but that doesn’t mean it’s not here.

For now, NB.1.8.1 accounts for fewer than 20 reported cases nationwide, USA Today reported – but the transmissibility of the variant could mean that its arrival in North Carolina is imminent.

Weber said a surge in cases in North Carolina is “absolutely” possible with the new variant.

“I don’t expect it’ll be a surge quite like some of the surges we’ve had in the past,” he added. “But we know we’ve had other surges in the summer. These respiratory viruses, COVID, flu, and RSV, generally, are more transmittable in the winter than in the summer, because the virus survives better at low temperatures, low humidity, and people are indoors more. But we’ve already seen COVID surges in the summer.”

Is the new variant more contagious than previous ones?

Yes, Weber said, pointing out that some countries are already experiencing surges in cases.

“I just came back from Asia, and they’ve had, you know, 20 to 40% increases in the last several weeks,” said Weber. “So it is displacing other variants there. And my understanding is it accounts for something more than 10% of cases worldwide.”

NB.1.8.1 spreads faster due to a specific mutation in one of the variant’s spike proteins, which allows it to bind to receptors in the nasal and lung passages if inhaled, Weber said.

What are the symptoms of the new COVID variant?

Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are similar to the other COVID-19 variants, Weber said. They include:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Will current COVID vaccines protect against the new variant?

Yes. Since NB.1.8.1 is a subvariant of omicron, which new vaccines target, they should provide ample protection, Weber said.

Because mRNA vaccines only provide protection against infection for three months and against serious illness for six months, Weber recommended waiting until fall to get the vaccine.

“If we start seeing a lot of these cases in the U.S., I would change that recommendation for people who are immunocompromised or older,” Weber said. “They should consider getting a current vaccine, then another one in the fall.”

Where to get the COVID vaccine in NC

Visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines and enter your zip code find a vaccine near you. In general, you can also check out:

▪ Pharmacies: Walk in or schedule appointments at national pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. You can also inquire with local neighborhood pharmacies.

▪ Grocery and big box stores: Walk in or schedule appointments at stores like Walmart, Target, Harris Teeter, Publix and Carlie C’s.

▪ Your healthcare provider: Of course, you can contact your doctor for an appointment.

However, getting boosters may soon become more difficult, as the Trump administration plans to restrict booster shots to older adults and those who are immunocompromised, ABC News reported.

How to avoid COVID infection

There are quite a few ways we can protect ourselves, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Make sure you:

▪ Wear masks: All of these respiratory illnesses can be spread through airborne viruses or bacteria particles. Be sure to wear masks, especially when you’re indoors in large crowds, since case counts are increasing this time of year.

▪ Get vaccinated: Most people 6 months and older are recommended to get the most recent COVID shot.

▪ Take early therapies: There are simple and effective oral antiviral therapies for flu and COVID, but you need to start them early, Weber stressed. You only have 48 hours from the earliest symptoms for flu cases and five days for COVID cases.

▪ Stay safe the old-fashioned way: Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze, wash your hands with soapy water (or use alcohol-based sanitizer if you can’t), open windows to promote airflow and stay home and secluded when you’re feeling under the weather.

This story was originally published June 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM with the headline "New COVID variant is spreading across the US. Is a summer spike ahead for NC?."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.