According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a new Omicron subvariant known as XBB.1.16, or “Arcturus,” is spreading rapidly in the United States. It accounted for nearly 10 percent of new weekly Covid-19 cases reported across the country, prompting concern among health experts.
The CDC has added XBB.1.16 to its variant tracker, indicating that the subvariant is a significant threat. Experts have warned that the percentage of cases attributed to XBB.1.16 is likely to increase in the coming weeks, and it may become the next dominant coronavirus strain in the country.
Meanwhile, the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 remains the dominant strain in the US, accounting for about 73.6 percent of new Covid-19 cases this week, according to CDC data.
A new variant XBB.1.16 has been observed by WHO which is a health organization worldwide Because the new variant was supported to spread the virus covid-19 in India. The emergence of new subvariants underscores the need for continued vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines to mitigate the spread of the virus.