This variant of COVID comes from the Omicron strain, and experts believe it is at least as contagious.
The latest variant of COVID, “Arcturus”, which caused a wave of infections in India, is already being detected in the UK. About 50 cases have been detected in the last month.
About it informs Daily Star edition.
This variant of COVID comes from the Omicron strain, and experts believe it is at least as contagious.
In India, because of the Arcturus, the country’s hospitals have introduced the highest level of danger – the “red code”, and some states of India have reintroduced the mandatory wearing of masks in public places in an attempt to stop the rapid growth of infection.
Experts do not currently believe that this strain, called XBB.1.16, will be any more deadly than the main strains that are now common, although the situation still needs to be studied.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that it is now monitoring the Arcturus, which was first seen in late January. Experts warn that it has disturbing mutations.
“It has an additional mutation in the Spike protein, which, according to laboratory studies, shows increased infectivity as well as potential increased pathogenicity,” explained Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Covid Technical Lead.
The UK Health and Safety Executive has confirmed that the new strain has already caused 50 infections in the country.
India reported 40,215 cases of coronavirus infection on April 12, up 3,122 cases from the daily average. The new variant is believed to be the cause of most infections.
Recall that the coronavirus pandemic could have started due to the sale of raccoon dogs infected with COVID-19 in the market of the Chinese city of Wuhan. The researchers came to this conclusion after analyzing the genetic data collected on the live food market.
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