The WHO sought to reassure the public, stating that current Covid-19 vaccines should remain effective against this variant in preventing symptomatic and severe forms of the disease. However, it called for vigilance, particularly in Asia where the variant has become dominant. Hong Kong reported that key Covid-19 surveillance indicators had reached their highest level in a year, prompting authorities to strengthen hygiene measures.
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Increase in Positive Test Rates in Hong Kong (5/12)
The percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Hong Kong has doubled in one month, rising from 6.21% to 13.66%. Furthermore, the viral load in wastewater has almost doubled, reaching 710,000 copies/liter. Despite these alarming figures, there is currently no indication that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe forms of the disease.
Identification of the NB.1.8.1 variant in France and the United States (6/1
