New COVID subvariant cases detected in Washington

Fourteen instances of the COVID-19 subvariant NB. 1. 8. 1 have been detected in Washington, as reported by the state Department of Health. The variant has gained traction globally since its emergence in the U.

S. earlier this year. The earliest sample was collected on April 7, with the most recent on May 20. One case involved a traveler at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, who voluntarily submitted a nasal swab for the CDC's variant tracking program. Washington's capacity to monitor new variants has diminished due to reduced community testing and a shift toward at-home antigen tests.

Thirteen of the 14 detections originated from Ginkgo Bioworks, which screens travelers at Sea-Tac for the CDC. Health officials emphasize that, despite the WHO flagging NB. 1. 8. 1 for monitoring, the public risk remains low, with no signs of increased disease severity.

The state's ongoing efforts to track variants reflect a crucial aspect of public health management amid changing testing landscapes.