A surge of infections in India have been linked to a new variant of Covid-19 called 'Arcturus.' The Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16 strain is causing cases in the country to soar, with the health ministry in India launching mock drills to see if hospitals are prepared to deal with a possible influx of patients as cases continue to rise.
It has been made compulsory in some states for people to wear face coverings, which in many areas is the first time this has been done in more than a year. In the southern state of Kerela, Health Minister Veena George has reintroduced masks for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying conditions.
This week, case numbers throughout India rose by 3,122 in a single day. On April 12, the country's Ministry of Health recorded 40,215 active coronavirus infections and officials are now urging states to increase testing for the virus reports the Daily Mirror.
