A new Covid variant dubbed 'Arcturus' has triggered a recent surge in cases of the virus in India.
The Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16 strain has caused cases to increase 13-fold in the country within the last month, leading to face masks being reintroduced as compulsory for vulnerable people in some areas. The Arcturus strain was first detected in late January, and is currently being monitored by the World Health Organisation.
It comes as 40,215 active Covid infections were recorded by India's Ministry of Health on April 12. The ministry ran mock drills this week to check that hospitals are prepared to deal with a possible influx in patients following the rise in cases, and health officials are now urging states to increase testing for the virus, The Mirror reports.
