The new Omicron variant XBB.1.16 – called Arcturus by many – has accounted for 7% of the weekly total cases in the US, according to the latest CDC data. The US has been average daily of new cases of 14,491 in the week ended April 12, 2023. The World Health Organization in its latest weekly bulletin said that there are currently no reported laboratory or country reports associating the Arcturus with increased disease severity. But a recent laboratory study on XBB.1.16 shows the variant to have an increased growth rate compared to XBB and XBB.1.5 respectively.

In a tweet, Raj Rajnarayanan, Assistant Dean of Research and Associate Professor, NYITCOM at Arkansas State University, said: “XBB.1.5 is still the top circulating lineage in USA but XBB.1.16 is poised to outcompete XBB.1.5 (and others) in the next few weeks. XBB.1.5 is still the top circulating lineage in USA but XBB.1.16 is poised to outcompete XBB.1.5 (and others) in the next few weeks.”

“XBB.1.16 has the potential to outcompete all other circulating lineages. Everyone is closely watching XBB.1.16 hotspots for clues,” he said.

Across the world, according to WHO, 3 million new cases and over 23 000 deaths were reported in the last 28 days (13 March to 9 April 2023). But the health body said that the “current trends in reported COVID-19 cases continue to be underestimates of the true number of global infections and reinfections as shown by prevalence surveys. This is partly due to the reductions in testing and delays in reporting in many countries.”

29 countries have reported cases of XBB.1.16 variant, which is showing an increasing trend, WHO said.

India today reported 10,753 fresh COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours while 27 deaths were recorded. It is believed that XBB.1.16 variant is triggering the recent spurt in cases in India. the Six deaths were recorded in Delhi, followed by four in Maharashtra, three in Rajasthan and one each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The figure also includes six deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 6.78%. It is believed that XBB.1.16 is fueling the surge in covid cases in India.