A severe sore throat could be a symptom of the latest COVID strain. 

Current COVID Variant Causing “Razor Blade Throat”

People are walking around with “Razor Blade Throat.”

The severely painful sore throat is a reported symptom of the latest COVID variant named NB1.8.1. 

The strain has been reported in New York, Illinois, Texas, and California.

Public health experts don’t see a cause for alarm, but the COVID variant seems to be stronger than previous versions. 

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-variant-nb181-causing-razor-blade-throat/story?id=123004186