A new variant of Covid-19 is spreading across the globe with new symptoms. The World Health Organization has identified it as "Arcturus". According to Advent Health, there are 9 key things you need to know about this virus.
1. According to health experts, COVID-19 is still a leading cause of death worldwide, including in the United States, where it averages about 250 deaths per day.
2. The World Health Organization is currently classifying XBB.1.16 or Arcturus as a “variant under monitoring”, which is less serious than the new Covid variants. However, classifications are fluid and may change at any time.
3. This variant has a higher transmissibility rate than the previous types.
4. The new variant brings with it an entirely new symptom of COVID-19: conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, which is often combined with itching.
5. Arcturus is responsible for an increase in the number of COVID cases in some parts of the world, including India, where itchy eyes have been reported more often in children, along with typical flu symptoms of cough and fever.
6. XBB.1.16 has been detected in 22 countries, including the United States.
7. Arcturus is most prevalent in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
9. According to the researchers, this variant is unlikely to aggravate health, since people have been vaccinated and have higher immunity after the previous infection