An infectious new variant of Covid is sweeping through the globe at a "fast pace" as experts warn of new symptoms and a possible return to mask-wearing. Conjunctivitis and a general feeling of unhappiness (malaise) have been identified as new symptoms of the XBB.1.16 variant, which has been dubbed Arcturus.
Dr Javeed Siddiqui, an infectious disease specialist, said the variant is spreading through 33 countries, including the US at a "fast pace", according to the Express. It comes as Britons are being advised to wear face masks again on public transport to protect themselves from the super-infectious subvariant.
Dr Siddiqui, the co-founder and chief medical officer at TelMed2U, explained: "The one thing that we understand about SARS coronavirus is that there is no predicting this virus.
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"We are well aware, but this virus continues to mutate and develop new variants. We now have a variant that is increasing across 33 countries, including the United States at a fast pace."
The new omicron subvariant is XBB.1.16, or Arcturus, and is indicated to be the causative virus in 12 to 14 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the US, Dr Siddiqui said. He added: "Several research laboratories indicated that this variant is up to 1.2x more transmissible than its predecessor XBB.1.5."
The symptoms associated with the new variant are slightly different to those previously reported. He said the symptoms include "fever, cough, malaise (a feeling of unhappiness), and conjunctivitis".
Health authorities have been put on alert in India, where the subvariant is believed to have derived from, and mask-wearing requirements have been brought back in. Meanwhile, in the UK, experts recently recommended people wear masks again after five deaths associated with XBB.1.16.
Speaking to the Daily Mail Online last week, Professor Stephen Griffin, chair of Independent SAGE, also warned that people consider regular testing again. He warned that while it "may seem like a throwback to last year", the virus remains dangerous.
Now, Dr Siddiqui, who is based in California, advised US citizens to do the same and begin carrying of safety precautions once again. The infections specialist also warned that new variants causing waves of infection are very likely in our immediate future.
He advised people, especially the vulnerable and those in mass gatherings, to wear masks to reduce the risk of spreading and infection. When asked if the vaccines will likely protect against the new variant, he said: "Clinical data indicates that vaccinated individuals tend to have a reduced duration and intensity of infection.
"If you have not yet received the bivalent Covid booster dose, I urge you to do so as soon as possible. Masking, social distancing, and vaccination really do work, and our among the best tools to reduce your risk of infection."
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