The ‘Arcturus’ or XBB.1.16 is a subvariant of Omicron which has led to a fresh wave of infections in India. Cases related to the subvariant are also been seen in the US, the UK, Singapore, and Australia
Doctors have said that children infected with COVID-19 are reporting symptoms like high fever, cough, cold, and conjunctivitis without pus. They also said the main XBB.1.16 symptoms in adults including sore throat, nasal discharge, and cough resembled the flu
A preprint study by the University of Tokyo suggested that the Arcturus spreads around 1.17 to 1.27 times more efficiently than XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 (Kraken) subvariants combined
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) COVID-19 lead Maria Van Kerkhove said that there has been no change in severity among those infected by the subvariant
‘Arcturus’ means ‘Guardian of the Bear’ and is related to the Great Bear constellation
India has recorded 10,158 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, a 30 per cent jump in daily COVID-19 cases. Active infections surged to nearly 50,000, as per the health ministry data
Experts believe that COVID-19 cases in India may rise continually for the next 10-12 days post which they will subside. Though cases are rising, hospitalisation is low and may remain so
States like Haryana and Kerala have reintroduced mask mandates given the uptick in COVID cases. While the Haryana government urged people to wear masks in public places, Kerala health minister Veena George brought back masks for pregnant women, elderly, and those with underlying health conditions