Arcturus, new subvariant of Omicron causing Covid spike, say doctors

HYDERABAD: Doctors claimed that the new Omega, XBB.1.16 strain named Arcturus may be to blame for the rise in Covid cases across the nation. The sub-variant is said to be more transmissible than the previous versions as per the observations made by doctors. However, they stressed that there was no need to panic.

President of Infection Control Academy of India and public health policy advisor, Dr Ranga Reddy Burri speaking to Deccan Chronicle said, "Whenever we discuss a new variant or a sub-variant that may be the cause of an increase in cases, it is important to know whether the variant is more contagious, more pathogenic, or more virulent, as well as whether current antibodies will protect against the new sub-variant. Omicron's new sub-variant is seen as the cause for the increase in infections because it is roughly 1.2-1.25 times more transmissible than other 500 plus sub-variants of Omicron”.

 Dr Burri, on the other hand, ruled out that the new sub-variant was more virulent because there was no increase in hospitalisation or fatality, unlike the previous versions of Omicron, and was a milder variant. There was a new symptom of pink eye, more prevalent in children, but no such instances were reported in India at the time. He did, however, emphasise the importance of genomic surveillance in understanding the underlying dynamics of the surges. Doctors also stated that the new variant and influenza had similar symptoms that were difficult to distinguish, making it critical to undergo testing for early treatment.

Dr. Nagarjuna Maturu V, senior consultant, clinical and interventional pulmonology, Yashoda hospitals said, “People with hybrid immunity who have been infected with Omicron are getting infected again. Although this sub-variant has the fastest spreading potential, the severity is very less and is a mild infection. We have seen more number of Covid positive cases, but most of them show symptoms such as high fever, cough, cold, body pain, fatigue, which is similar in influenza too. The virus is not reaching the lungs and is only upper respiratory infection and there is no more loss of taste and smell”.

Dr Maturu said that the recovery period was 2-3 days but there were post-Covid symptoms like cough which could last 2-8 weeks and typical body
pain or fatigue. Doctors urged the vulnerable groups such as elderly, immune-compromised or co-morbid patients to be on guard till the pandemic was over and advised people to follow the covid protocols to wear masks, follow hygiene and wash hands and sanitation.

Senior health officials said that the presentation of the sub-variant was mild and many people were asymptomatic. “One may not panic due to the rise in the number of cases. It is not an alarming rise. It is advisable to the vulnerable population, especially elderly people and those who have underlying chronic diseases should go for the booster dose as their immune system is weak”, said a senior official.