The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has reported the rapid spread of a new Omicron subvariant, known as XBB.1.16, making it the second dominant Covid-19 strain in the country.

Surge in Cases

According to recent CDC data, the Omicron subvariant, nicknamed “arcturus,” has surged to account for approximately 12 per cent of new weekly Covid-19 cases in the US. This marks a significant increase from the previous week’s 7.4 per cent, indicating the subvariant’s rapid transmission rate.

Potential Dominance

Experts have cautioned that the prevalence of the XBB.1.16 subvariant is anticipated to rise further in the coming weeks, potentially surpassing the current dominant strain. Despite the ongoing dominance of the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, which constitutes about 68.8 per cent of new Covid-19 cases in the US, the emergence of XBB.1.16 poses a new challenge in managing the pandemic.

Global Monitoring

The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring the XBB.1.16 subvariant, recognizing its contribution to the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in India. As efforts continue to contain the spread of various Covid-19 strains worldwide, vigilance and proactive measures are essential to mitigate the impact of emerging variants.

US Covid-19 Situation

Despite vaccination efforts and public health measures, the United States remains one of the worst-hit countries by the Covid-19 pandemic. With over 106 million reported cases and more than 1.1 million deaths, the country continues to grapple with the challenges posed by the virus.

As the threat of emerging variants persists, ongoing surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and adherence to public health guidelines remain critical in controlling the spread of Covid-19 and protecting public health.