Another variant of the COVID-19 virus has been identified. XBB.1.16, or “Arcturus,” as the next one to watch, according to an update from researchers.
The World Health Organization has been monitoring the variant since March 22, and experts say it has a higher transmissibility rate than previous strains. In addition, Arcturus has been known to cause conjunctivitis, or pink eye. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, XBB.1.16 makes up 11.7% of COVID-19 cases in the United States through April 29.
"It is causing increasing case counts in certain parts of the world, including India,” Matthew Binnicker, PhD, director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, said in a statement. “We're not seeing high rates of XBB.1.16 yet in the United States, but it may become more prominent in coming weeks.”
While its prevalence is not dominant in the United States, Arcturus is the second highest variant going around, behind XBB.1.5. As the world heads into spring and summer, it is expected that respiratory illnesses will somewhat subside in line with seasonal trends, as the height of flu and virus season tends to be in the winter. Already, respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, RSV and the flu have begun to fall, according to Mayo Clinic.
"The case counts of respiratory infections have begun to drop as we're entering into the spring months in the Northern Hemisphere with warmer temperatures and people getting outdoors," Binnicker said. "Respiratory viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, tend to decline in the spring and summer months, and that is what we're seeing in most parts of the U.S. right now."
The number of cases per week, deaths and hospital admissions are all currently declining in the United States, according to the CDC.
New COVID-19 variants appear as the virus mutates and changes, and these variants allow the virus to spread more easily or make it more resistant to vaccines or treatments. When a virus spreads, it has a chance to change, according to the CDC. And any variant can have an impact on healthcare resources.
Back in March, WHO declared the global risk assessment for XBB.1.16 low compared to XBB.1.5, though the agency did state it could become the dominant strain in some countries due to its growth advantage and immune escape characteristics.
The spread of the new COVID-19 variant comes as the Biden administration is set to wind down the public health emergency (PHE) on May 11. The PHE was originally declared at the start of the pandemic and offered more flexibility for the healthcare industry to provide critical services.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."