‘A new COVID variant the World Health Organization has its eye on seems to be causing a new symptom in children rarely caused by other Omicron spawn.
XBB.1.16, dubbed “Arcturus” by variant trackers, is fueling a new surge of cases in India, at a time when reported cases are down in much of the rest of the world. The country’s health ministry is holding mock drills to ensure that hospitals are prepared for rising COVID cases, the BBC reported Monday, noting that some states have again made mask-wearing in public mandatory.
The symptoms seen among children:
High fever
Cough
“Itchy” conjunctivitis—or pink eye—without pus, but with “sticky eyes”
Tracking #SARSCoV2 lineage XBB.1.16* (#Arcturus) over time – Globally
Total Sequences : 2,393
Tracker: https://t.co/VaSl5Y3js3
Note: Recent Epi weeks are incomplete; Includes seqs from targeted & Airport surveillance
Updated: 04/10/23 pic.twitter.com/PkqoTU2c9o
— Raj Rajnarayanan (@RajlabN) April 10, 2023
New boosters available soon too!
h/t A Deplorable Neanderthal