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<p>Amid a surge in cases globally, the first death from COVID-19's new variant, Arcturus, has been reported in Thailand, the health officials informed on Friday. An unnamed elderly man became the victim of the virus strain which is thought to be around 1.2 times more infectious than the last major sub-variant.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Medical Sciences Department stated that the deceased was a foreigner who had underlying health conditions as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The dead person was an elderly foreigner with underlying health conditions. His death, therefore, may not directly reflect the severity of this subvariant but rather its impact on other risk factors," said Dr Sirilak.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Between April 9 and 15, the number of patients hospitalised in the country has seen an uptick of almost 2.5 times, compared to the previous week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Subsequently, Thai health officials have issued a warning regarding the new subvariant and urged the public to err on the side of caution and practice Covid-appropriate behaviour.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-new-covid-19-cases-jump-30-to-10158-582194"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;India's new COVID-19 cases jump 30% to 10,158</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>Arcturus and its brief history</strong></h2>

<p>Notably, India was the first country to detect Arcturus. The highly contagious Covid strain has already been discovered in at least 24 countries. According to experts, the variant is a matter of discussion but not a cause of concern.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“It’s been in circulation for a few months. We haven’t seen a change in severity in individuals or in populations, but that’s why we have these systems in place. It has one additional mutation in the spike protein, which, in lab studies, shows increased infectivity as well as potential increased pathogenicity," Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead for Covid said last month.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-covid-19-sub-variant-arcturus-detected-in-at-least-24-countries-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-it-583972" target="_blank"><strong>ALSO READ | New COVID-19 sub-variant 'Arcturus' detected in at least 24 countries; Here's all you need to know about it</strong></a></p>

<p>In the US, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has informed that the new strain is responsible for almost seven per cent of the coronavirus cases, coming only behind the Omicron variant.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the experts, the symptoms caused by Arcturus are nearly identical to the ones caused by the prior variants. However, the virus tends to produce conjunctivitis (inflammation of the outside of the eye) in the contracted person which is being classed as one of the distinguishing symptoms.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How to protect yourself from Arcturus?</strong></h2>

<p>Nothing out of the ordinary needs to be done to protect oneself from the new strain.&nbsp;Some of the most important measures include staying updated with vaccinations and booster doses, wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands, and attempting to spend time outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Amid a surge in cases globally, the first death from COVID-19's new variant, Arcturus, has been reported in Thailand, the health officials informed on Friday. An unnamed elderly man became the victim of the virus strain which is thought to be around 1.

Amid a surge in cases globally, the first death from COVID-19's new variant, Arcturus, has been reported in Thailand, the health officials informed on Friday. An unnamed elderly man became the victim of the virus strain which is thought to be around 1.2 times more infectious than the last major sub-variant. Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Medical Sciences Department stated that the deceased was a foreigner who had underlying health conditions as well. "The dead person was an elderly foreigner with underlying health conditions. His death, therefore, may not directly reflect the severity of this subvariant but rather its impact on other risk factors," said Dr Sirilak. Between April 9 and 15, the number of patients hospitalised in the country has seen an uptick of almost 2.5 times, compared to the previous week. Subsequently, Thai health officials have issued a warning regarding the new subvariant and urged the public to err on the side of caution and practice Covid-appropriate behaviour. WATCH | India's new COVID-19 cases jump 30% to 10,158 × Arcturus and its brief history Notably, India was the first country to detect Arcturus. The highly contagious Covid strain has already been discovered in at least 24 countries. According to experts, the variant is a matter of discussion but not a cause of concern. “It’s been in circulation for a few months. We haven’t seen a change in severity in individuals or in populations, but that’s why we have these systems in place. It has one additional mutation in the spike protein, which, in lab studies, shows increased infectivity as well as potential increased pathogenicity," Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead for Covid said last month. ALSO READ | New COVID-19 sub-variant 'Arcturus' detected in at least 24 countries; Here's all you need to know about it In the US, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has informed that the new strain is responsible for almost seven per cent of the coronavirus cases, coming only behind the Omicron variant. According to the experts, the symptoms caused by Arcturus are nearly identical to the ones caused by the prior variants. However, the virus tends to produce conjunctivitis (inflammation of the outside of the eye) in the contracted person which is being classed as one of the distinguishing symptoms. How to protect yourself from Arcturus? Nothing out of the ordinary needs to be done to protect oneself from the new strain. Some of the most important measures include staying updated with vaccinations and booster doses, wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands, and attempting to spend time outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

First death from new COVID-19 subvariant 'Arcturus' detected in Thailand

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<p>Arcturus, a new COVID-19 sub-variant, has caught the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO). The new omicron variant, XBB.1.16, causes familiar symptoms of previous variants of coronavirus. However, there's a new symptom: conjunctivitis. India was the first country to detect Arcturus. The highly contagious and new COVID-19 strain is in at least 24 countries. According to experts, the variant is a matter of discussion but not a cause of concern. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States reported that the new variant accounted for seven per cent of the recorded COVID-19 cases.</p>

<p>Here's everything you need to know about the Arcturus variant.</p>

<h2><strong>How is Arcturus different from other COVID-19 variants?</strong></h2>

<p>According to Healthline, the profile of Arcturus is similar to previous omicron sub-variants. However, the additional mutation in the spike protein makes it more contagious. WHO has recognised it as a 'variant under monitoring.' The new variant causes the same symptoms but is not ultra-severe. But some clinical characteristics make it different from other omicron sub-variants. Apart from fever, its tendency to produce conjunctivitis (inflammation of the outside of the eye) is a distinguished symptom.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-urges-north-koreas-kim-to-boost-communications-amid-complex-serious-changes-583878">China’s Xi urges North Korea’s Kim to boost communications amid ‘complex’, ‘serious’ changes</a></p>

<h2><strong>How to protect yourself from Arcturus?</strong></h2>

<p>The methods we have practised over the past three years since the pandemic applies to the latest COVID-19 sub-variant. Some of the most important measures include staying updated with vaccinations and booster doses, wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands, and aiming to spend time outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.</p>

<p>The best measure to protect themselves from the new omicron variant is vaccination. The virus might have mutated, evading the original vaccines. Thus, it is crucial to get the bivalent booster which targets multiple sub-variants of SARS-CoV-2.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Russia using facial recognition to crack down on youngsters dodging compulsory military service</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-using-facial-recognition-to-crack-down-on-youngsters-dodging-compulsory-military-service-583947/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Is the new COVID-19 sub-variant 'Arcturus' dangerous?</h2>

<p>Experts are examining the Arcturus sub-variant closely. However, they are not concerned about it the way they were during the initial outbreak of the coronavirus. There is no reason to panic, but researchers have advised people to stay cautious of Arcturus. High-risk groups, such as people older than 65 with underlying sickness, pregnant women, and people with weak immunity, must take precautions and wear a mask.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Arcturus, a new COVID-19 sub-variant, has caught the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO). The new omicron variant, XBB.1.16, causes familiar symptoms of previous variants of coronavirus.

Arcturus, a new COVID-19 sub-variant, has caught the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO). The new omicron variant, XBB.1.16, causes familiar symptoms of previous variants of coronavirus. However, there's a new symptom: conjunctivitis. India was the first country to detect Arcturus. The highly contagious and new COVID-19 strain is in at least 24 countries. According to experts, the variant is a matter of discussion but not a cause of concern. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States reported that the new variant accounted for seven per cent of the recorded COVID-19 cases. Here's everything you need to know about the Arcturus variant. How is Arcturus different from other COVID-19 variants? According to Healthline, the profile of Arcturus is similar to previous omicron sub-variants. However, the additional mutation in the spike protein makes it more contagious. WHO has recognised it as a 'variant under monitoring.' The new variant causes the same symptoms but is not ultra-severe. But some clinical characteristics make it different from other omicron sub-variants. Apart from fever, its tendency to produce conjunctivitis (inflammation of the outside of the eye) is a distinguished symptom. ALSO READ | China’s Xi urges North Korea’s Kim to boost communications amid ‘complex’, ‘serious’ changes How to protect yourself from Arcturus? The methods we have practised over the past three years since the pandemic applies to the latest COVID-19 sub-variant. Some of the most important measures include staying updated with vaccinations and booster doses, wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands, and aiming to spend time outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. The best measure to protect themselves from the new omicron variant is vaccination. The virus might have mutated, evading the original vaccines. Thus, it is crucial to get the bivalent booster which targets multiple sub-variants of SARS-CoV-2. WATCH | Russia using facial recognition to crack down on youngsters dodging compulsory military service Is the new COVID-19 sub-variant 'Arcturus' dangerous? Experts are examining the Arcturus sub-variant closely. However, they are not concerned about it the way they were during the initial outbreak of the coronavirus. There is no reason to panic, but researchers have advised people to stay cautious of Arcturus. High-risk groups, such as people older than 65 with underlying sickness, pregnant women, and people with weak immunity, must take precautions and wear a mask. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

New COVID-19 sub-variant 'Arcturus' detected in at least 24 countries; Here's all you need to know about it

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