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'Razor Blade Throat' COVID Subvariant Sickens More In NJ

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'Razor Blade Throat' COVID Subvariant Sickens More In NJ


NEW JERSEY – The new COVID-19 omicron subvariant, Nimbus (NB.1.8.1), has become the dominant strain across the United States and in the Garden State.

While 140 total cases across all strains of COVID have been reported in the state, the latest available data from the New Jersey Department of Health shows the Nimbus variety continues to show signs of rapid spread.

According to the World Health Network, Nimbus looks to be more is usually detected by symptoms of a severe sore throat, with a mild cough, fever, muscle aches and congestion. Some patients reported a sensation feeling like “razor blade throat.”

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) modeled projections show a jump from 15 percent to 37 percent nationwide over that same two week period of data through June 7.

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This data is subject to further refinement into a weighted adjustment available at a later date. The CDC points out that “due to low numbers of sequences being reported to CDC, precision in the most recent reporting period is low…(they are) moving to longer reporting periods.”

According to the last available data for cases of all variants sequenced in the state, 10 percent of the 507 reported were attributed to the strain. This data is only available through May 17.

A spokesperson for the CDC says that, so far, too few U.S. sequences have been reported to be included in their official variant estimates dashboard, adding that the “CDC is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China and is in regular contact with international partners.”

“What sets NB.1.8.1 apart is how quickly it spreads,” according to Dr. Magdalena Sobieszczyk, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

“It has a genetic advantage: mutations that make it easy for it to bind to receptors on human cells. The mutations could allow NB.1.8.1 to spread faster and therefore infect more people.”

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According to Today, the new variant is now responsible for more than one third of all COVID cases in the United States following surges in Asia this spring.

This strain of the coronavirus was first detected in the U.S. in late March from airport screening procedures for international travelers. More than a dozen states have reported cases of the strain.

As of June 7, overall COVID test positivity have remained relatively flat at 3 percent, up just 0.2 percent from the previous week. COVID hospitalizations are falling, however, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Nimbus variant is growing at a time when federal authorities have dramatically reduced vaccine recommendations from the CDC, with U.S. Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, also removing all of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ members just earlier this month.

RELATED COVERAGE: Vaccine Registration In NJ Might Get A New Look

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Monmouth County high school among best schools for athletes across NJ

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Monmouth County high school among best schools for athletes across NJ


New Jersey has many schools that offer a great education for students interested in sports.

Student-athletes seeking the best schools with leading sports programs have options in the Garden State, says Niche.com.

The online platform for rankings and review rounded up the top New Jersey schools with the best high school sports programs based on analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education.

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In addition these rankings based on the number of state championships, student participation in athletics and the number of sports offered at the school.

One school from Monmouth County made the list in the number 6 spot.

Red Bank Catholic

Red Bank Catholic is a private Catholic high school in Monmouth County and offers students extracurriculars that include an award winning athletic program with 28 varsity sports. The institution also ranked in the top 5 list for Best Private High Schools in Monmouth County.

Here’s why RBC made the list:

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  • Sports: grade A+
  • Clubs & Activities: grade A+
  • Academics: grade A
  • College Prep: grade A minus
  • Teachers: grade B+
  • Diversity: grade B minus

Red Bank Catholic overall Niche grade: A

Top 10 High Schools for Athletes

This list is was compiled from Niche.com and includes private and public schools across New Jersey.

  1. Delbarton High School
  2. Bergen Catholic High School
  3. Seton Hall Preparatory High School
  4. Saint Peter’s Prep
  5. Don Bosco Preparatory High School
  6. Red Bank Catholic High School
  7. Haddonfield Memorial High School
  8. Westfield Senior High School
  9. Ramapo High School
  10. Northern Highlands Regional High School



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Isolated snow showers, wind gusts up to 35 mph in N.J. forecast for Sunday

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Isolated snow showers, wind gusts up to 35 mph in N.J. forecast for Sunday


Rain will continue through tonight across New Jersey before a cold front passes through Sunday morning, followed by wind gusts up to 35 mph and the chance of isolated snow showers.

The heaviest rain tonight is expected along the southern portions of the state where 1 and 1.5 inches rainfall totals are possible, according to the National Weather Service.

Most other areas of New Jersey should receive around 1 inch of rain, with the northwest portions of the state picking up 0.5 to 0.75 inches.

Heavy rain is expected to soak New Jersey through most of Saturday with rainfall totals up to 1.5 inches expected in the southern half of the state.National Weather Service

Once the rain ends between 6 and 9 a.m. Sunday, conditions should remain cloudy and foggy until a cold front passes through late Sunday morning into early Sunday afternoon.

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Temperatures will drop into the upper 30s to low 40s Sunday morning as cold air moves in behind the first cold front.

A secondary cold front will cross New Jersey late Sunday afternoon accompanied by a period of rain and snow showers.

The isolated snow showers are possible mainly from 7 to 11 p.m., the weather service said. Snow accumulations are not expected in New Jersey.

Winds of 15 to 20 mph on Sunday afternoon are expected to increase to 25 to 35 mph by sunset.

Monday’s forecast calls for mainly clear skies with temperatures in the upper 30s to low 40s and winds gradually diminishing.

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Tuesday will be milder with above-normal temperatures and mainly clear to partly cloudy skies, with a slight chance of some rain showers possible.

Wednesday’s temperatures will remain above normal with partly cloudy skies and a slight chance of rain showers as a cold front approaches from the west.

N.J. weather: Snow from costal winter storm possible next week
Forecasters are tracking the potential for a coastal storm that could bring snow to New Jersey late next week, or veer out to sea.AccuWeather.com

A potential coastal storm could impact New Jersey with snow on Thursday and Friday, though significant uncertainty remains regarding the exact track and timing of the system, the weather service said.

Some forecast models suggest a significant winter storm while others indicate the system will remain offshore.

N.J. weather: Snow from costal winter storm possible next week
Forecasters are tracking the potential for a coastal storm that could bring snow to New Jersey late next week, or veer out to sea.AccuWeather.com

A colder air mass is forecast to move into New Jersey by late next week and into the following weekend.

Current weather radar



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NJ officers surprised with Eagles playoffs tickets for saving boy who fell through ice

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NJ officers surprised with Eagles playoffs tickets for saving boy who fell through ice


Officers in Gloucester County, New Jersey, got a big surprise on Friday morning.

A representative from Dunkin’ gave them free tickets to this weekend’s Eagles playoff game as a huge thank you for their courageous actions last weekend.

It was a tense scene in Woolwich Township when officers used ropes and went into a frozen body of water to save a child who had fallen through the ice.

“As soon as he started screaming that he couldn’t feel his hands, I just went out there and tried to go get him,” Sgt. Joseph Rieger said. “Immediately thought of my own son and what I would have done with my own son- just go out and get him as soon as I could.”

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The boy was screaming and was not able to grab onto the rope that the officers had thrown to him.

“I try to get him the rescue rope but he can’t hold it because his hands aren’t working. So I go to grab him out of the awter and we both go into the water. So I was able to stand up and throw him on top of the ice and start breaking my way back,” Rieger explained.

The team was able to get the 13-year-old out of the frozen water with no one getting hurt.

Then, Dunkin’ showed up to the police department for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and praised their actions by giving them tickets to Sunday’s Eagles playoff game against the 49ers.

“This is my job. It was what I signed up to do so getting this kind of attention, I’m not used to it. I’m very appreciative and very excited,” Rieger said.

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The officers said that if there’s anything to take away from this story, it’s to stay off of the ice.

Thankfully, the boy they saved is doing just fine and stopped by the police department earlier this week to thank them.

“It was awesome. It was nice to see that he was safe. He learned his lesson. He was very appreciative,” Rieger said.



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