Joseph Hospital and Providence Mission Hospital in Southern California. Bailey, M.D., the medical director for infection prevention at Providence St. 'COVID cases are declining nationwide, with 98% of counties now listed in the Low Community Level as of last week,' explains Charles C.J. In fact, most of the characteristics of this variant are similar to XBB.1.5, which is still responsible for the bulk of the current cases here in the U.S. And unlike earlier variants, most healthcare agencies are projecting that Arcturus isn't expected to spark a major uptick in new cases. Previous sub-variants linked to Omicron have been noted to be viral and severe, but XBB.1.16 cases thus far haven't caused healthcare providers to be concerned about an uptick in severe illnesses, hospitalizations or deaths in the weeks to come. What to know about the 'Arcturus' COVID-19 variant Read on to learn more about Arcturus, why some are concerned it may present irritating eye symptoms that are likened to pink eye, and other potential warning signs that you're experiencing a COVID-19 breakthrough illness. But healthcare authorities are still worried about XBB.1.16 for a few reasons - including a potential new symptom that is a major departure from the upper respiratory symptoms that recent strains have presented. hospitals were able to avoid a catastrophic surge in COVID-19 cases this winter thanks to updated bivalent vaccines, and as of late April, there isn't concern about a rise in COVID-19 infection rates anytime soon. That number is likely underreported, as a majority of COVID-19 patients don't ever find out which SARS strain they've been infected with. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated XBB.1.16 as a 'variant under monitoring' ( VUM) in late March, indicating Arcturus may demonstrate a 'growth advantage relative to other circulating variants.' Since then, the variant has been uncovered in more than 30 nations across the world - with CDC agents including it in its variant tracking in mid-April, illustrating that Arcturus is responsible for nearly 10% of new COVID-19 infections in the U.S. Known officially as subvariant XBB.1.16 - but quickly picking up a moniker of 'Arcturus' among media and healthcare professionals alike - this Omicron subvariant is increasingly being traced back to new COVID-19 cases here in the United States, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.įirst detected back in January, this subvariant has generated headlines in India, where it has triggered a majority of new COVID-19 cases (including potent breakthrough illnesses) and has particularly impacted the nation's youth. Just as federal health regulators have released additional booster vaccines to at-risk Americans, doctors across the globe are raising concerns about a new SARS-CoV-2 variant that has the potential to trigger elevated COVID-19 spread this spring.

Federal health agents have not confirmed eye infections as a common COVID-19 symptom.Doctors are independently reporting a rise in red, itchy eyes in children affected by XBB.1.16, a trait that has not been associated with previous Omicron subvariants.Healthcare professionals have indicated that itchy conjunctivitis may be associated with this particular subvariant, though COVID-19 has previously been linked to eye infections.A new COVID-19 subvariant, known as XBB.1.16 but often called 'Arcturus,' has progressively become more viral here in the United States, accounting for 10% of infections through late April.Is there a link between COVID-19 and pink eye?.What to know about the 'Arcturus' COVID-19 variant.

Covid symptoms in kids dry cough