CDC Tracks New COVID-19 Subvariant on the Rise: Arcturus (XBB.1.16)
The CDC recently added a new Omicron subvariant to its COVID-19 tracker. The variant, Arcturus, also known as XBB.1.16, has shot up on the variants of concern list.
As the COVID pandemic has progressed, the CDC has added yet another COVID-19 subvariant to the seemingly never-ending variants of concern. The new variant XBB.1.16, also known as Arcturus, is an Omicron subvariant that the WHO identified.
The CDC tracker includes data on variants of interest (VOI), variants of concern (VOC), variants of high consequence (VOHC), and variants being monitored (VBM). According to the tracker, the XBB.1.16 variant is classified as a VOC, accounting for 9.6% of the reported cases between April 16, 2023, and April 22, 2023.
With that proportion of infections, the variant has shot up to second on the list. Comparatively, the XBB.1.5 variant, also known as Kraken, ranks the highest, accounting for 73.6% of infections during that week. In descending order of infection rates, other variants include XBB1.9.1, XBB.1.9.2, XBB1.5.1, FD.2, XBB, BQ.1.1, CH.1.1, and BQ.1, all Omicron subvariants.
VOC designation, given to Arcturus from the CDC, usually indicates increased transmissibility, more severe infection, lower neutralization by monoclonal antibodies, reduced vaccine efficacy, or diagnostic detection barriers. According to data from the WHO, this variant is not necessarily more dangerous but has displayed increased transmissibility.
VOCs are also variants or subvariants that require public health officials to notify the WHO, issue reports to the CDC or other public health regulators, increase preventative care strategies, and analyze vaccine efficacy. VOCs also require an in-depth analysis of current treatment and prevention methods to examine effectiveness.
As of April 22, 2023, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the United States has reached 104,445,294. Additional data reveals 1,129,573 deaths and 7,540 hospital admissions.
Unfortunately, only 16.7% of people in the US have received an updated booster. With another VOC rising, researchers and scientific innovators must continue developing the next generation of COVID vaccines. Beyond that, healthcare professionals and public health experts must continue to advocate for preventative practices and widened access to care.
