New COVID strain detected in California as federal government changes vaccine recommendations

WASHINGTON — COVID-19 cases are rising again as a new variant begins to circulate in some parts of the world, with the World Health Organization last week saying the rise in cases is primarily in the eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions.

The variant, called NB.1.8.1, is also present here in the U.S.

What You Need To Know

COVID-19 cases are rising again as the new NB.1.8.1 variant begins to circulate in some parts of the world

The strain has also been detected in the U.S., though Health and Human Services says that there "have been fewer than 50 sequences of NB1.8.1"

The strain comes as the federal government changes COVID vaccination guidance, no longer recommending the shot for pregnant women and healthy children

Adding to the confusion, the Centers for