A new COVID-19 variant leading to a surge in cases is causing a new symptom that hasn’t been linked to the virus in the more than three years of the pandemic.
The so-called Arcturus strain – officially known as XBB.1.16 – is believed to be one of the most contagious versions of the Omicron variant to date.
Cases of XBB.1.16 in the United States have doubled over the past week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) variant tracker.
Itchy, red eyes not seen in previous waves “are symptoms of the new Omicron variant,” according to a brand-new report from the Mayo Clinic.
“A novel feature of the cases caused by this variant is that it appears to cause conjunctivitis or red and itchy eyes in young patients,” said Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Clinical Virology Laboratory. “It’s something we haven’t seen in previous strains of the virus.”
Arcturus has a higher transmissibility rate than previous strains but doesn’t appear to be any more dangerous, the Mayo Clinic said in its report.
XBB.1.16 is causing rising case numbers in certain parts of the world, including India, and has been confirmed in 27 states, including New York, where it was first detected in January, and New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland.
This is still an evolving story. Visit Daily Voice for updates.
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