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A new sub-variant of Covid-19 has been raising concerns for the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus’s evolution has pathed the way to Arcturus or XBB.1.16, which is showing signs similar to previous variations but also includes conjunctivitis. Since the first report of it in India earlier this year, it has now been found in 29 other nations. However, experts do not now see it as a risk.
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In this Pacific Prime article, we will learn more about the new Covid variant, Arcturus.
About Arcturus
The World Health Organization labeled the new strain as a new ‘variant under monitoring (VUM) in late March. It’s still in the early stages, as it hasn’t reached a variant of interest (VOI) or a variant of concern (VOC) level just yet.
Arcturus is a subvariant of the Omicron variant, which appeared in the latter half of 2021 and replaced delta as the global dominant variety. By the end of February, 0.21% of cases worldwide were caused by the new Arcturus strain. According to WHO statistics, this increased to nearly 4% a month later.
According to Japanese researchers, Arcturus has been discovered to be 1.2 times more transmissible than the Kraken strain, also in their research, posted on bioRxiv, Arcturus has high transmissibility, which “will spread worldwide in the near future”.
Arcturus has become the new main Covid variant in India, which has caused hospitals to run drills to check if they are ready to face a potential wave of outbreak. Similar to earlier omicron sub-variants, Arcturus, however, the spike protein increases its contagiousness.
What are the Symptoms of Arcturus?
Arcturus is similar to the common Covid symptoms, which include the likes of a high fever, a cough, a cold, and a loss of taste or smell. However, front-line medical personnel in India stated that many kids are suffering from conjunctivitis, which is new compared to other variations.
Here is a list of symptoms you need to watch out for:
- Fever
- Body chills
- Chronic cough
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste or smell
Patients with serious health conditions could have problems like shortness of breath, low levels of oxygen, and difficulty breathing.
It’s important to understand that the symptoms of COVID-19 overlap with those of the seasonal flu. If you’re feeling sick, it’s recommended to seek medical help as soon as possible. However, it is worth noting that some people infected withCOVID-19 may not display any symptoms at all. This is why testing is very important.
How is Arcturus Different from Previous Variants?
According to Vanderbilt University’s Dr William Schaffner, the new variant causes the same symptoms as previous variations, but it has a spike in the protein mutation, making it more contagious, which in turn, will boost the transmission rate.
He further said, “Arcturus is an omicron sub-variant. It has a tendency to produce a high fever. Omicron can produce a fever, but many people get infected who don’t have a fever at all. One additional mutation in that spike protein makes it even more contagious than omicron.”
How to Protect Yourself Against Arcturus
Arcturus has undergone numerous alterations that enhance its capacity to spread across humans. According to researchers who have investigated the virus, it has the ability to go through some of the body’s immune system defenses.
In order to stay safe from Arcturus, the steps we’ve been taking for the past three years to protect ourselves from COVID-19 are still helpful even with the new variation.
Experts are carefully reviewing the Arcturus sub-variant. But unlike when the coronavirus first started to spread, they are not worried about it. There is no need to panic, but Arcturus should still be avoided, according to scientists.
High-risk groups must be cautious and wear masks, including those over 65 with chronic conditions, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
One of the best things you can do to avoid catching COVID-19 is to be vaccinated. The virus itself has altered considerably and is better at avoiding the original vaccines. This is why it’s important to get a booster shot to increase your immune defenses.
Secure your Health with Pacific Prime
This is a great opportunity to make sure you have protection against COVID-19 and other illnesses. It’s essential to have health insurance that can be helpful in an emergency when getting or renewing an insurance plan.
Working with Pacific Prime’s insurance experts is one way to make sure you get the right insurance plan within your price range. Our employees will compare different insurance plans and provide you with unbiased guidance.
For a FREE quote, contact Pacific Prime today.
He’s a third culture kid who left Thailand when he was 5 before returning at 17. He attended an American school in New Delhi, India before moving to a private school in London, England. Pete has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Bangkok University International College. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, watching movies
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