A ‘razor blade throat’ COVID variant is spreading. Will NC see a fall spike?

Update: Find our latest story on COVID-19 and vaccine access here.

With back-to-school season in full swing, COVID cases in North Carolina are rising, just in time for a new variant to ascend in status.

According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the percentage of emergency department visits due to COVID-like illnesses has gone up for five consecutive weeks, beginning on July 5.

“I think we had about 30 to 35 positive tests last week, so we’re seeing an uptick as well,” Dr. David Weber, an infectious disease specialist at the UNC School of Medicine, told The Charlotte Observer.

Cases are rising in North Carolina as a new variant, XFG, commonly referred to as “Stratus,” takes hold in the U.S., USA Today reported.

But for now, NB.1.8.1 remains the dominant variant, accounting for estimated 43% of total COVID cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NB.1.8.1 also brought a painful symptom that many with the variant are experiencing: razor blade throat.

Here’s what you need to know.

Has the new COVID variant reached NC?

Possibly. Weber said he hasn’t seen any confirmed cases of the new variant in North Carolina, but that doesn’t rule out its presence.

By late June, the CDC estimated XFG made up as much as 14% of total cases in the U.S.

With students across the state preparing to return to school, Weber said he doesn’t expect a surge in cases – but there could be a “small bump.”

“With kids going back to college and others, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a continued bump in COVID, and eventually, of course, when we get towards winter, we’re going to see flu, RSV and other respiratory diseases.”

What are the symptoms of the new variant?

Symptoms of XFG are similar to the other COVID variants, Weber said. They include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

What is razor blade throat?

“Razor blade throat” is the colloquial term used to describe the piercing sore throat many patients infected with the NB.1.8.1 variant experience, Weber said.

“We do see it, but we haven’t had a tremendous amount of that,” he added.

Neil Maniar, director of Northeastern University’s master of public health program, told Northeastern Global News that severe sore throats may be more common with NB.1.8.1 due to its ability to bind to receptors in the upper airway.

Will current COVID vaccines protect against the new variant?

Yes. Because NB.1.8.1 is an omicron subvariant targeted by the new vaccines, they should offer strong protection, Weber previously told the Observer.

He noted that mRNA vaccines protect against infection for about three months and against severe illness for about six months, so he advises most people to wait until fall for their next dose.

However, if cases rise in the U.S., he would recommend that immunocompromised or older individuals get the current vaccine now and another in the fall.

Where to get the COVID vaccine in NC

Visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines and enter your zip code find a vaccine near you. In general, you can also check out:

• Pharmacies: Walk in or schedule appointments at national pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. You can also inquire with local neighborhood pharmacies.
• Grocery and big box stores: Walk in or schedule appointments at stores like Walmart, Target, Harris Teeter, Publix and Carlie C’s.
• Your healthcare provider: Of course, you can contact your doctor for an appointment.

.However, access to boosters may soon be limited, as the Trump administration plans to restrict them to older adults and immunocompromised people, ABC News reported.

How to avoid COVID infection

The CDC recommends several ways to protect yourself:

• Mask up: Respiratory illnesses spread through airborne viruses and bacteria. Wear a mask, especially indoors in crowded spaces, since case numbers tend to rise this time of year.
• Stay up to date on vaccines: Most people ages 6 months and older are advised to get the latest COVID-19 shot.
• Start treatment early: Simple, effective oral antivirals are available for both flu and COVID-19, but timing matters. For the flu, begin treatment within 48 hours of symptoms; for COVID-19, within five days, Weber said.
• Practice tried-and-true precautions: Cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands with soap and water (or use alcohol-based sanitizer), improve ventilation by opening windows and stay home when you’re sick.

This story was originally published August 8, 2025 at 1:44 PM with the headline "A ‘razor blade throat’ COVID variant is spreading. Will NC see a fall spike?."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.