The COVID-19 virus keeps changing and evolving as it spreads and infects people, making some of us sicker or able to spread the infection more easily. These new types of the virus are called variants and they can be identified by studying how the virus’s genetic code has changed over time.
The newest variants raising concern are XFG and NB.1.8.1. XFG has been formally designated by WHO as a variant under monitoring, meaning it may pose a greater public health risk than previously circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. NB.1.8.1 has been unofficially nicknamed “Nimbus” by a group of scientists and citizen scientist that assigns these monikers to variants likely to grab the public’s attention. The viruses have also been showing less protection from vaccines and treatments.
Vaccines and antivirals may not always work against the latest viruses, but proven strategies still stop them spreading and cause serious illness. Those strategies include staying away from people who are very sick, having good hand hygiene, using a mask when going outside or in public, and getting medical help quickly when you think you have a COVID-19 infection.
A viral blood test can show if you have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19, and if your body has created antibodies to fight it. The test can’t tell which specific variant you have – and it takes up to 12 days for your antibodies to appear in the blood. But, if you have been vaccinated, these antibodies should protect you against catching and getting sick from the most recent variants, including XFG and NB.1.8.1.
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