NB.1.8.1: New contagious COVID-19 variant now circulating in California, health experts warn: Here's what to know

In San Francisco, Stanford scientists have identified a new variant of COVID-19 present in wastewater samples in California. This discovery comes at a time when vaccine distribution is still limited.

As the COVID-19 virus continues to adapt and change, researchers are closely monitoring a new substrain called NB.1.8.1. Originally detected in China, this variant is now being detected in the Bay Area.

“This variant has been identified in Europe and the United States, and now we are seeing it in California’s wastewater, indicating its presence in the region,” explained Dr. John Swartzberg, an expert in infectious diseases and vaccinology at UC Berkeley.

Experts say the good news is this strain does not appear to be more virulent, but it looks like it is more contagious.

“It appears to be able to attach to the receptor sites on our cells more avidly, with greater ability which may mean it’s more transmissible which would not be good news,” Dr. Swartzberg said.

COVID numbers have been low in 2025 so far, but that could change in the coming months.

“Come the fall and next winter, respiratory season if you will, that we will see a resurgence, more people getting infected with the circulating variant, more people hospitalized and more people dying,” said UC Berkeley epidemiology professor Dr. Arthur Reingold.

That could be factored into decisions about an upcoming COVID booster, even as vaccine access is being restricted with the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. now removing the vaccine from the CDC’s immunization schedule for pregnant women and healthy children.

“We know if you’re vaccinated during pregnancy, those antibodies mom develops pass through to the baby, and protects infants up to about 6 months of age from COVID, so all of this protection is being lost by this decision,” Dr. Swartzberg said.

“I personally am going to get a booster, I recommend my friends and family get the booster,” Dr. Reingold said.

Copyright © 2025 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Whoa: Trump Says He's Pulling Ed Martin's Nom for US Attorney in D.C. -  That's on Tillis

The Federal Trade Court Invalidates Trump’s Tariffs on ‘Liberation Day’ for Going Too Far

The ruling is a decisive pushback against the use of emergency declarations…
Chicago alderman slams mayor's hiring practices as 'giant leap in the wrong direction' amid DOJ probe

Chicago alderman criticizes mayor’s hiring practices as a ‘significant setback’ during DOJ investigation

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hiring practices are under investigation by the Department of…
Reporter BOASTS about Trump 'chicken' question that sparked meltdown

Reporter brags about question about Trump’s ‘chicken’ behavior that caused a commotion

During an encounter with President Trump, a CNBC White House reporter, Megan…
ADL urges Americans to fight hate after deadly shooting in DC

Rabbi Criticizes DC Officials’ Response to Antisemitic Attack near Israeli Embassy

Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld visited the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., on March…
Human remains found in sunken boat bring closure to Texas family's Alaska tragedy

Discovery of human remains in submerged vessel brings comfort to Texas family following Alaskan tragedy

Almost 10 months after a Texas family’s boat capsized off the coast…
Shocking pictures show Tory Lanez covered in blood after being stabbed 14 times inside California prison where he is serving ten years for shooting Megan Thee Stallion

Startling Images reveal Tory Lanez covered in blood after receiving 14 stab wounds while in a California penitentiary serving a decade-long sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion

Shocking images show Tory Lanez covered in blood after being stabbed 14…
Young girl gets brutal reaction as she sings Disney tunes to passengers trapped on delayed flight

Passengers on delayed flight have strong negative response to young girl singing Disney songs

A young girl received an unexpected reaction when she attempted to amuse…
Mother who SOLD her daughter, six, after 'healer' wanted child 'for her light eyes and skin' is jailed for life in South Africa - as girl remains missing

South African mother sentenced to life in prison for selling her young daughter due to requested physical attributes, while the girl is still missing

A mother who sold her six-year-old daughter to a ‘healer’ for just…
Crypto torture case: Suspect waives court appearance as 2nd man arraigned in alleged kidnapping, beating of Italian victim

Suspect Waives Court Appearance in Crypto Torture Case: Second Man Arraigned for Alleged Kidnapping and Beating of Italian Victim

In SOHO, Manhattan, one of the cryptocurrency investors involved in the alleged…
Chicago Alderman Ray Lopez accused of misidentifying Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez Sanchez staffer as Washington shooting suspect

Chicago Alderman Ray Lopez accused of mistakenly identifying Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez Sanchez’s staff member as the suspect in the Washington shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) — A war of words is heating up over a…
When Does ‘And Just Like That’ Season 3 Start? Episode 1 Release Date and Time, How Many Episodes, And More

When Does Season 3 of ‘And Just Like That’ Begin? Episode 1 Release Date and Time, Number of Episodes, and Additional Details

MAX’s tasty spin-off of “Sex and the City,” called “And Just Like…
This is Weird: Lions, Tigers, and... Drugs? Oh My!

Strange but True: Lions, Tigers, and… Illicit Substances? Oh Wow!

Every now and then, we’re reminded that the world is not only…