FIVE Brits have been died after catching the new Arcturus Covid strain, fresh data suggests.
The Omicron-spin off, which is considered to be the most infectious version of the disease yet, is ravaging parts of India.
Five Brits die with new Covid variant Arcturus as the bug spread globally
In some areas, ministers have reintroduced face mask rules in an attempt to quell the spread.
As of 17 April 2023, 105 Arcturus – scientifically known as XBB.1.16 -sequenced cases have been identified in England, with cases located in all regions apart from the North East.
And there were five deaths among these cases, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed, all of which had underlying health issues.
So far, it’s been detected in 20 additional countries, including the US.
Scientists studying the new bug believe it’s better than it’s predecessors at evading immune protection from vaccination or previous infection.
Japanese researchers have suggested it is 1.2 times more infectious than the already super transmissible strain, Kraken.
There is no evidence to suggest the disease has increased in severity.
Data shows the strain makes up roughly 2.3 per cent of all new cases.
Officials at the Government health agency expect that one of the strains will become dominant in the coming weeks, they said.
“However, XBB.1.16 sample numbers are very low, and results may change as further data becomes available,” they noted.
Last week The World Health Organisation (WHO) upgraded XBB.1.16 to a “variant of interest”.
What are its symptoms?
Omicron typically causes a collection of cold or flu-like symptoms, such as:
runny noseheadachefatigue (mild or severe)sneezingsore throat
But Dr Vipin Vashishtha – a paediatrician and former head of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Immunisation – said the spread of Arcturus in India was bringing with it a new symptom that hadn’t been present in earlier waves.
He said symptoms affecting the eyes were seeing a sudden surge in children.
The doctor said he was treating increasing numbers of infants with fever, cough and cold symptoms, and conjunctivitis causing ‘itchy’ and ‘sticky’ eyes.
However, there is currently no hard evidence to prove whether Arcturus is driving this new range of symptoms in children.
Will my vaccine work against it?
Early research suggests there is no need to be concerned about the a Arcturus.
The mammoth rollout of vaccines across the UK means many already have some level of protection from the bug.
And even though the variant is causing infections in people who have been vaccinated, it doesn’t mean its capable of causing severe illness.