India is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, with Delhi logging six deaths along with 1,757 new cases on Wednesday. This surge is essentially driven through the Arcturus version, also known as XBB.1.16, that is a subvariant of the Omicron variant.

Arcturus is extra transmissible and immune-evasive than its predecessors, and it can escape immunity obtained via preceding infections or vaccines. Although the ailment resulting from the variation is essentially mild, it can reason barely distinct signs and symptoms in prone populations such as kids and the aged.
What is Arcturus Variant?
The Arcturus version, additionally known as XBB.1.16, is a tremendously mutated subvariant of the Omicron version of COVID-19. It become first detected in India in 2023 and has extra ability to contaminate individuals.

How is Arcturus Causing COVID Surge?
The Arcturus version is currently driving the surge in instances in India and is present in 29 international locations. The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring this variant.

Arcturus or XBB.1.16 Variant: How Big is the Threat?
The Arcturus version is an Omicron subvariant that incorporates the ability to unfold quicker than all the preceding traces of the virus. It is just like the XBB.1.5 variation however has an extra mutation that makes it greater contagious. Although it’s far dominant in India and spreading quickly across the states, the fee of hospitalization is still low and most of the symptoms associated with this variant are potential.

What Are the Symptoms of Arcturus or XBB.1.Sixteen Variant?
The signs of the Arcturus variation are much like the ones of preceding traces of COVID-19 and consist of the subsequent.

Fever, body ache, headache, sore throat, runny nostril, fatigue, cough, and chest congestion are commonplace signs.
Children may additionally enjoy excessive fever, cough, and itchy conjunctivitis or pinkeye.
Precautions
To avoid the spread of the Arcturus variation, people must observe the equal COVID protocols as before.

Follow COVID protocols which includes carrying masks in public areas and averting crowded regions.
Maintain proper hand hygiene, keep hand sanitizer reachable, and get vaccinated if unvaccinated to prevent the unfold of the version.