LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County has identified its first cases of an emerging omicron coronavirus subvariant dubbed Arcturus, a strain global health authorities are watching closely as it has been linked to an upswing in cases in India.
Officially designated XBB.1.16, the subvariant also has attracted attention following anecdotal reports linking it to what has been a rare COVID-19 symptom: pink eye.
However, it remains unclear whether this symptom is more pronounced in Arcturus than earlier omicron strains. The latest subvariant has not been shown to cause more severe illness.
