A new Covid variant that could be 'more infectious' than previous strains has been identified in the UK. Cases of the Arcturus strain have soared in India, with some states forced to reintroduce mask-wearing in public spaces as a result.
The variant has now been confirmed as present in the UK, USA, Australia and Singapore. According to the latest research, Arcturus could be 1.2 times more infectious than the most recent significant sub-variant of coronavirus, reports BelfastLive. READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community Along with the usual Covid symptoms of fever and coughs, infected people in India have also reported suffering from "itchy" conjunctivitis or pinkeye.
The World Health Organisation is also focusing its attention on the new Omicron variant XBB.1.16. The variant was first detected in January and the WHO is monitoring its spread, saying some mutations are of concern.
Arcturus is a subvariant of Omicron and has not yet been linked to any deaths. The WHO has said that Arcturus is spreading across India.