The new COVID-19 variant Arcturus raises concerns, especially in India, as infection causes increase.
A woman undergoes a Covid-19 coronavirus screening as a safety protocol before she enters a venue visited by Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama (not pictured) in Leh market July 23, 2022. (Photo by Mohd Arhaan ARCHER / AFP)
This just shows that the global coronavirus pandemic is far from over.
Will the new variant force the world to restore its strict health protocols?
As of writing, the World Health Organization is still observing the newly-discovered Omicrone sub-variant.
Arcturus (also known as the XBB.1.16) was first detected in late January.
Now, health officials warned that this new COVID-19 variant has some concerning mutations.
New COVID-19 Arcturus Variant Raises Concerns
According to Independent UK's latest report, most Arcturus infected cases are in India.
A health official (L) collects a swab sample from a woman to test for the COVID-19 coronavirus at a temporary free testing facility set up in a school after authorities eased restrictions imposed as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, in New Delhi on June 19, 2020.
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But, other countries already experience the spread of the new Omicron sub-strain.
This April, India's Arcturus cases reached over 3,100 in just a single day, leading to more than 40,200 active COVID-19 infections in the country.
WHO COVID technical lead, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, said that the new Arcturus sub-variant has one additional mutation in its spike protein.
She added that, based on their lab studies, this increases the sub-strains infectivity and (potentially) the pathogenicity.
Virologist Professor Lawrence Young, from the University of Warwick, said the world should watch the new Arcturus virus.
"When a new variant arises you have to find out if it's more infectious, more disease-causing, is it more pathogenic? And what's going to happen in terms of immune protection," he explained.
Arcturus' Unusual Symptom
Unlike other COVID-19 variants, Arcturus develops a very peculiar symptom, which is itchy conjunctivitis.
This eye infection can lead to swelling, itchiness, and redness in the eyes.
Although other variants can also have it, conjunctivitis doesn't happen often.
As of press time, the new Arcturus COVID-19 strain is still spreading in other countries. The Daily Mail UK reported that the Omicron sub-variant is already in Britain.
You can click here to see more details about the Arcturus cases in the United Kingdom.
In other stories, experts claimed that COVID-19 face masks are inefficient.
We also reported about the first COVID-19 vaccination-linked death in Singapore.
For more news updates about COVID-19 and other health topics, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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