A new variant of COVID-19, named XBB.1.16 by the World Health Organization, is starting to spread around the United States, potentially responsible for a new symptom that has not been seen with the virus so far. The subvariant of omicron, also known as “Arcturus,” has been reported in more than two dozen countries and is causing increases in cases in India, among other nations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate it is responsible for 9.6% of current cases in the United States.
Officials in India have reported that this variant causes typical symptoms similar to colds, but also with a new symptom: conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye. While this symptom has been more prevalent among children and young adults, it has also affected adults. Some may be tempted to dismiss this symptom as seasonal allergies, but Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, advises getting tested for COVID to rule the illness out.
Dr. Arwady suggests taking a COVID test if one experiences red, itchy eyes, even if they think it’s allergies or a cold. She highlights that overall, this is still all omicron, which is good news if one is up-to-date with their COVID vaccines. There is no evidence so far that the variant leads to more serious illness or increased hospitalizations. This emphasizes the importance of being vaccinated.
Higher levels of infectivity are being reported with newer variants, but overall they tend to cause less-severe disease, likely due to higher vaccination rates, higher rates of immunity from previous infections, and lower pathogenicity of recent variants, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Although overall levels of COVID in the United States, including in the Chicago area, remain low, experts still advise residents to take proper precautions, including taking COVID tests if they experience symptoms and to wash hands frequently.
The Arcturus variant has been designated as a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization, indicating that it is not yet clear whether it will become a significant threat or not. However, it is important to remain vigilant as the situation is constantly evolving.
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that people should not panic about the new symptom associated with the Arcturus variant. He notes that conjunctivitis is not uncommon with respiratory viruses and that it is a relatively mild symptom. However, he does caution that if someone experiences this symptom along with other COVID symptoms, they should get tested.
Overall, it is crucial to continue to follow public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Getting vaccinated, wearing masks in indoor public settings, practicing social distancing, and washing hands frequently are still effective measures to slow the spread of the virus. By taking these precautions, individuals can help protect themselves and their communities from new COVID variants like the Arcturus variant.