A new COVID-19 variant spreading across the United States may cause an extremely painful sore throat—dubbed the "razor throat"—among its symptoms. The new "Nimbus" strain, also known as COVID-19 NB 1.

Patients are reporting a "razor blade throat" symptom — potentially due to the new "Nimbus" COVID variant — in which their throat feels as if they've swallowed shards of glass.

COVID-19 appears to be on the rise in some parts of California as a new, highly contagious subvariant — featuring 'razor blade throat' symptoms overseas — is becoming increasingly dominant.