Jordan Ellis
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been associated with mild symptoms and has not been linked to a significant increase in hospitalizations. While it is highly contagious and can lead to a substantial amount of mild infection, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no indication that the Omicron variant, including its subvariants like NB.1.8.1, causes more severe illness or leads to more hospitalizations compared to previous variants. However, it's important to note that the risk of hospitalization for older adults remains high, and COVID-19 vaccines are still recommended to protect against severe illness and hospitalization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Omicron Variant | NB.1.8.1 |
| Severity of Illness | Mild |
| Global Risk | Low |
| Transmissibility | Highly contagious |
| Hospitalizations | No indication of more hospitalizations compared to earlier variants |
| Symptoms | Similar to other newer Omicron variants |
| Vaccination Status | Vaccines are expected to remain effective against this variant |
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What You'll Learn
Omicron symptoms described as 'mild' by a South African doctor
Omicron Symptoms Described as Mild by a South African Doctor
The Omicron variant symptoms have been described as "mild" by a South African doctor, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, who first spotted the Covid-19 Omicron variant. Dr. Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical Association, told the BBC that she started seeing patients around November 18, 2021, with "unusual symptoms" that differed from those associated with the Delta variant.
Dr. Coetzee reported that a 33-year-old male patient experienced extreme fatigue, body aches, and a headache but did not have a sore throat, cough, or loss of taste or smell. She described the patient's throat condition as a "scratchy throat." Additionally, Dr. Coetzee mentioned that other patients she had seen with the Omicron variant exhibited "extremely mild" symptoms, and her colleagues had observed similar cases.
According to Dr. Coetzee, the clinical picture in South Africa, where she practices at the epicenter of the Omicron outbreak, consisted of mild cases. She emphasized that they had not admitted anyone to the hospital, and her colleagues concurred with her observations. However, it is important to note that Dr. Coetzee's initial findings were based on a small number of cases, and experts expressed concern about Omicron's high number of mutations.
While the Omicron variant may cause milder symptoms, it is important to remain vigilant and continue following public health guidelines and recommendations. Additionally, getting vaccinated and boosted remains crucial in protecting against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
As of June 2025, the NB.1.8.1 Omicron subvariant has been spreading in the United States, causing concern about a potential summer wave. However, the WHO has stated that the global risk posed by this subvariant is considered low, and it does not appear to lead to more hospitalizations compared to earlier variants. The symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are similar to other newer Omicron variants, and high population immunity contributes to the mild nature of infections.
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Omicron variant leads to hospitalisations in Asia
The Omicron variant NB.1.8.1 has led to a surge in COVID-19 cases in parts of Asia, resulting in increased hospitalisations and emergency room visits. This variant was first detected in January 2025 and quickly became the dominant strain in China and Hong Kong. It has since spread to other countries in Asia, including South Korea and Japan, and has also been detected in the United States and Europe.
While the NB.1.8.1 variant is highly contagious, there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness or an increased risk of hospitalisation compared to previous variants. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the global risk posed by this variant is low, and currently available COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective in protecting against severe disease.
However, the large number of infections due to the high transmissibility of the NB.1.8.1 variant has resulted in a strain on healthcare systems in some Asian countries. Hospitals in these regions have reported an increase in emergency room visits and hospitalisations due to COVID-19, particularly among unvaccinated individuals.
The symptoms associated with the NB.1.8.1 variant are similar to those of other Omicron subvariants and include coughing, congestion, fever, and gastrointestinal issues. While the variant does not appear to cause more severe illness, its high transmissibility means that it can lead to a significant increase in the overall number of infections, resulting in a higher absolute number of severe cases and hospitalisations.
To mitigate the impact of the NB.1.8.1 variant, public health experts emphasise the importance of vaccination and booster shots. Maintaining up-to-date vaccination status helps protect against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death from COVID-19. Additionally, adhering to public health measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and staying home when sick can help slow the spread of the virus and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
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Omicron variant detected in the US
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still spreading and mutating, leading to the emergence of new variants. One such variant, NB.1.8.1, has recently been detected in the United States, sparking concerns about a potential summer wave. NB.1.8.1 is an Omicron variant that first emerged in January 2025 and quickly became the dominant strain in China and Hong Kong.
As of May 29, 2025, fewer than 20 cases of NB.1.8.1 had been detected in the U.S., with cases reported in California, New York, Arizona, New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington. The first cases in the U.S. were detected through airport screening programs for international travelers. While the number of cases is still low, experts predict that cases will increase, as has been the trend in previous years during the summer months.
NB.1.8.1 is a highly contagious subvariant of the Omicron lineage, specifically descending from JN.1. It has additional spike protein mutations that may affect its ability to evade immunity. However, the current 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines, which target the JN.1 variant, should provide ample protection against NB.1.8.1.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is currently no evidence that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness than other variants. The global risk posed by this variant is considered low, and it does not seem to lead to more hospitalizations. The symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are similar to those of other newer Omicron variants, and high population immunity in the U.S. contributes to the mild nature of infections.
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WHO says no indication Omicron causes more severe illness
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no indication that the Omicron variant causes more severe illness than previous COVID-19 variants. This includes the BA.2 omicron subvariant, which the WHO has said is not any different from the original omicron in terms of severity.
Michael Ryan, the World Health Organization’s emergencies director, has stressed that existing vaccines should protect people who contract Omicron against the worst outcomes of the disease. He said:
> "We have highly effective vaccines that have proved effective against all the variants so far, in terms of severe disease and hospitalization, and there’s no reason to expect that it wouldn’t be so [for Omicron].”
However, the Omicron variant is highly contagious, and new variants continue to emerge. For example, the NB.1.8.1 variant, an offshoot of Omicron, has been detected in the United States as of June 2025. While it is not known to cause more severe illness, it is very contagious and expected to lead to a summer wave of COVID-19 cases.
Despite the WHO's statements, it is important to note that the severity of illness caused by any COVID-19 variant can depend on various factors, including an individual's vaccination status, age, and underlying health conditions. Therefore, it is always advisable to stay up to date with the latest vaccine recommendations and take appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of infection.
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COVID-19 hospitalizations not limited to respiratory virus season
COVID-19 hospitalizations are not limited to the respiratory virus season. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, continues to spread and mutate, leading to new variants such as the recent NB.1.8.1 omicron strain. While this variant is highly contagious, it does not appear to cause more severe illness or hospitalizations compared to previous variants.
During the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, infection-prevention measures suppressed the transmission of seasonal influenza and other respiratory viruses. However, in late 2022, influenza activity returned to pre-pandemic levels, and the 2022-2023 influenza season was characterized by early onset and moderate severity. This season saw an increase in hospitalizations, particularly among young adults aged 18-49.
In December 2023, respiratory virus activity, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, was high and rising in most parts of the US, with COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise. RSV hospitalizations were also at a five-year high, impacting young children and seniors the most. The CDC warned of an "urgent need" to increase vaccination rates to prevent severe disease and reduce strain on healthcare systems.
While the pandemic may be over, COVID-19 continues to circulate and evolve, emphasizing the importance of staying up to date with vaccinations. The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are designed to offer protection against currently circulating strains, including the Omicron variant. Vaccination remains the best way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there have been hospitalizations from the Omicron variant. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no indication that the Omicron variant, including its newer strains, causes more severe illness or leads to more hospitalizations compared to earlier variants.
The symptoms of the Omicron variant are similar to other newer variants. While the specific symptoms of the Omicron variant are not mentioned, it is known to cause a substantial amount of mild infection.
The Omicron variant is highly contagious and spreads quickly. Its newer strains, such as NB.1.8.1, have been shown to be more transmissible, contributing to rising cases and hospitalizations in some countries.
Getting vaccinated and boosted is essential for protection against the Omicron variant. The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are designed to provide the best protection against currently circulating strains, including the Omicron variant and its newer strains. Maintaining public health measures, such as masking and social distancing, can also help reduce the spread of the Omicron variant.
