Omicron... the new fastest-spreading variant of the coronavirus emerges in Europe and Asia.

The World Health Organization has confirmed that the new variant of the coronavirus, scientifically known as NB.1.8.1 or "Nimbus," has started to spread globally, especially in parts of East Asia, with warnings of the possibility of causing a new wave of infections during this summer. * Limited Detection in Germany: The organization explained that the variant has not been widely detected in Germany so far. The Robert Koch Institute for Disease Control in Germany stated that the first case was recorded at the end of last March, but its appearance remains sporadic. In its latest report, covering the week ending June 8th, the institute reported 698 cases of COVID-19, a slight increase that does not indicate a clear upward trend, due to the decrease in the number of cases and the sequencing of infections. * Expert Opinion: Richard Neher, a biophysicist at the University of Basel, stated that the spread of the new variant in Germany depends on the evolution of other variants, suggesting that NB.1.8.1 may prevail but without a significant impact. Data from wastewater surveillance showed a slight increase in coronavirus levels in recent weeks, but they remain low. * Regional Spread and Warnings: The "Nimbus" variant descends from the XDV.1.5 strain prevalent in East Asia. According to official reports from the Chinese agency "Xinhua," this variant became dominant in China by the end of last May. In the UK, the British Health Security Agency recorded a sharp increase in infections, reaching 97% compared to March. Thirteen cases of the new variant were detected in England, with 25 samples sent to an international database, indicating that the actual numbers may be much higher, amidst a decline in testing compared to the pandemic peak. * Risk Assessment: The World Health Organization classified "Nimbus" as a "variant under monitoring," meaning it is closely monitored for any signs of evolving into a greater threat. Experts warned that current vaccines, designed to combat Omicron variants, may not be effective against this variant, which is characterized by a higher transmission rate compared to previous strains. * Symptoms and Recommendations: Symptoms of "Nimbus" are not significantly different from other strains and include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and sore throat. With waning immunity in many individuals due to the distance from vaccination or previous infection, experts urged at-risk groups to receive preventive vaccinations. * Change in US Policies: In a parallel context, the United States announced the suspension of COVID vaccines recommendation for pregnant women and healthy children, marking a clear change in its virus response strategy. Official figures showed that COVID was a factor in the deaths of over 300 people in England during May. "Nimbus" now accounts for 10.7% of global COVID infections, compared to only 2.5% a month ago, raising concerns about its rapid global spread.