The <keyword id="13772791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Omicron-subvariant" source="Orion">new Omicron subvariant</keyword> XBB.1.16 is spreading fast in the US, becoming the second dominant Covid-19 strain in the country, according to the latest data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The subvariant, referred to as "arcturus", has accounted for about 12 per cent of new weekly Covid-19 cases reported in the country, up from 7.4 per cent the week prior, Xinhua news agency quoted the CDC data published on Friday as saying. Experts warned the percentage is expected to increase in the coming weeks, possibly become the next dominant coronavirus strain in the country. The highly transmissible Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 remains the dominant strain in the US and accounted for about 68.8 per cent of new Covid-19 cases this week, the CDC data revealed. The <keyword id="43588" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organization" source="Orion">World Health Organization</keyword> is monitoring XBB.1.16, which is contributing to the ongoing resurgence of Covid-19 in India. The US continues to remain the worst hit country in the world with the highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. As of Saturday morning, the country's overall caseload and death toll stood at 106,627,427 and 1,159,824, respectively. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ultratech-cements-q4-net-profit-falls-32-to-1666-crore-declares-dividend/articleshow/99848912.cms">UltraTech Cement’s Q4 net profit falls 32% to ₹1,666 crore, declares dividend</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/these-qualifications-will-help-you-snag-the-best-tech-jobs/slidelist/99838842.cms">These qualifications will help you snag the best paying tech jobs in BFSI sector</a>

New Omicron subvariant becomes 2nd dominant strain in US

<keyword id="8764262" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covid" source="Orion">Covid</keyword> in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> is moving towards the <keyword id="950387" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="endemic" source="Orion">endemic</keyword> stage, so the cases may keep rising for the next 10-12 days after which they will subside, official sources said on Wednesday. The sources said even though the cases are increasing, hospitalisation is low and expected to remain low. The current rise in Covid cases is being driven by <keyword id="16822233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="XBB-1-16" source="Orion">XBB.1.16</keyword>, which is a sub-variant of <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword>, they added. While Omicron and its sub-lineages continue to be the dominant variant, most of the assigned variants have little or no significant transmissibility, disease severity or immune escape. The prevalence of XBB.1.16 increased from 21.6 per cent in February this year to 35.8 per cent in March. However, no evidence of an increase in hospitalisation or mortality has been reported, official sources said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/nuvama-wealth-management-aims-to-list-by-aug-sets-ambitious-biz-growth-targets/articleshow/99435745.cms">Nuvama Wealth Management aims to list by Aug; sets ambitious biz growth targets</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/phonepe-gets-additional-usd-100-million-fund-from-general-atlantic/articleshow/99435726.cms">PhonePe gets additional USD 100 million fund from General Atlantic</a>

Covid entering endemic stage in India, cases likely to start subsiding after 10-12 days

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Viral infections, including COVID, can cause pink eye.</li><li>Experts are worried that the new "Arcturus" variant may be causing more of the eye irritation.</li></ul>If you're experiencing red, irritated eyes this spring, it may not be seasonal allergies — it could be a sign you have COVID.Doctors and patients alike are experiencing more cases of viral pink eye during COVID infections, as new variants including one <a href="https://theconversation.com/arcturus-what-to-know-about-the-new-covid-variant-omicron-xbb-1-16-204598" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called "Arcturus,"</a> or XBB.1.16, spread across the US. "Observational data suggests that people infected with XBB.1.16 may be more likely to experience conjunctivitis as a symptom of their COVID infection," the <a href="http://ph.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=4372" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles health department</a> said in a release. "Be aware that itchy, watery or red eyes may be a sign of a COVID-19 infection."On Tiktok, one man said the eye irritation he had after a week of severe cold symptoms got so bad that "my eye was pretty much swollen shut for a few days." "I had to take multiple trips to the opthamologist and even the ER at one point," he said, because white, floppy "pseudomembranes" were growing in his eyes, "covering the inside of my eyelids and over my eyes."<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@oaktreenaps/video/7224580249969904942" data-video-id="7224580249969904942" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@oaktreenaps" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@oaktreenaps?refer=embed">@oaktreenaps</a> -10/10 DO NOT recommend it, folks! Stitching @realadamrose <a title="covid19" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/covid19?refer=embed">#covid19</a> <a title="covid19variant" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/covid19variant?refer=embed">#covid19variant</a> <a title="omnicronvariant" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/omnicronvariant?refer=embed">#omnicronvariant</a> <a title="xbb116" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/xbb116?refer=embed">#xbb116</a> <a title="conjunctivitis" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/conjunctivitis?refer=embed">#conjunctivitis</a> <a title="redeyes" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/redeyes?refer=embed">#redeyes</a> <a title="pinkeye" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pinkeye?refer=embed">#pinkeye</a> <a title="eyehealth" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/eyehealth?refer=embed">#eyehealth</a> <a title="friday" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/friday?refer=embed">#friday</a> <a title="weekend" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/weekend?refer=embed">#weekend</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - oaktreenaps" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7224580300964219690?refer=embed">♬ original sound - oaktreenaps</a> </section> </blockquote> Opthamologist Vicki Chan said in a TikTok video that pseudomembranes are essentially "white cells and pus and fibrin which has congealed on the eye." They can be usually be <a href="https://casereports.bmj.com/content/12/3/e228538#ref-1:~:text=easily%20peeled%20off%20leaving%20an%20intact%20underlying%20epithelium" target="_blank" rel="noopener">peeled off or pulled out of the eye</a>, and eye doctors may prescribe steroid drops to keep them from coming back afterwards. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@vickichanmd/video/7228352777884454190" data-video-id="7228352777884454190" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@vickichanmd" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@vickichanmd?refer=embed">@vickichanmd</a> <a title="stitch" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/stitch?refer=embed">#stitch</a> with @grizzlytree <a title="pinkeye" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pinkeye?refer=embed">#pinkeye</a> <a title="conjunctivitis" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/conjunctivitis?refer=embed">#conjunctivitis</a> <a title="covidconjuntivitis" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/covidconjuntivitis?refer=embed">#covidconjuntivitis</a> <a title="pseudomembrane" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pseudomembrane?refer=embed">#pseudomembrane</a> <a title="ophthalmology" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ophthalmology?refer=embed">#ophthalmology</a> <a title="ophthalmologist" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ophthalmologist?refer=embed">#ophthalmologist</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Vicki Chan MD" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7228352786084367150?refer=embed">♬ original sound - Vicki Chan MD</a> </section> </blockquote> It's not unusual for people with viral infections to get pink eye, which is <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/about/causes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usually caused by a virus</a> or bacteria. Previous studies have suggested <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7264785/#:~:text=The%20overall%20rate%20of%20conjunctivitis%20was%201.1%25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">people with COVID get pink eye about 1%</a> of the time, but that rate could be increasing with the Arcturus variant.Dr. Jessica Kiss said that people might brush off viral pink eye thinking it's just their spring allergies, but she encourages everyone with eye irritation to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@askdrmom/video/7222683153402580266?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">test for COVID</a>. "I think this was the first symptom I had the last time I had COVID," she said on TikTok. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@askdrmom/video/7222056254267559210" data-video-id="7222056254267559210" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@askdrmom" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@askdrmom?refer=embed">@askdrmom</a> I feel like any preschool parent has this on their radar but not for <a title="covid19" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/covid19?refer=embed">#covid19</a> well. Now you know. When is the last time u had this? <a title="covidsymptoms" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/covidsymptoms?refer=embed">#covidsymptoms</a> <a title="covid2023" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/covid2023?refer=embed">#covid2023</a> <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed">#fyp</a> <a title="drmom" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/drmom?refer=embed">#drmom</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Dr Jessica Kiss D.O." href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7222056255237081898?refer=embed">♬ original sound - Dr Jessica Kiss D.O.</a> </section> </blockquote>

A man discovered a pus-filled 'pseudomembrane' in his eye after getting a COVID-induced pink eye infection

Geneva [Switzerland], August 19 (ANI): World Health Organization (WHO) designated <keyword id="18456567" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-variant-ba-2-86" source="Orion">COVID-19 variant BA.2.86</keyword> as a 'variant under monitoring' due to the large number of mutations it carries. The WHO said on Friday that they are tracking 3 variants of interest and 7 variants under monitoring at the moment. "WHO continues to call for better surveillance, sequencing, and reporting of #COVID19 as this virus continues to circulate and evolve," the WHO said in a tweet. Who further stated that it needed more data to understand this COVID19 variant and the extent of its spread, but the number of mutations warrants attention. Recently, the latest variant, EG.5 (also known as Eris), has grabbed the attention of public health experts around the world and is becoming a dominant strain in countries including the United States and Britain. The variant is causing about 17 per cent of the new Covid-19 cases in the country compared to 16 per cent for the next most common lineage, XBB.1.16, according to the latest estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CNN reported. The new variant is a spinoff of the XBB recombinant strain of the Omicron family. According to the WHO, all viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, change over time. Most changes have little to no impact on the virus's properties. However, some changes may affect the virus's properties, such as how easily it spreads, the associated disease severity, or the performance of vaccines, therapeutic medicines, diagnostic tools, or other public health and social measures. In June 2020, the WHO Virus Evolution Working Group was established with a specific focus on SARS-CoV-2 variants, their phenotype and their impact on countermeasures. This later became the Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution. In late 2020, the emergence of variants that posed an increased risk to global public health prompted WHO to characterize some as variants of interest (VOIs) and variants of concern (VOCs) to prioritize global monitoring and research and to inform and adjust the COVID-19 response. From May 2021 onwards, WHO began assigning simple, easy-to-say labels for key variants. Considerable progress has been made in establishing and strengthening a global system to detect signals of potential VOIs or VOCs and rapidly assess the risk posed by SARS-CoV-2 variants to public health. It remains critical that these systems are maintained, and data are shared, according to good principles and in a timely fashion, as SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate at high levels around the world. While monitoring the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 globally, it also remains essential to monitor their spread in animal populations and chronically infected individuals, which are crucial aspects of the global strategy to reduce the occurrence of mutations that have negative public health implications. In March 2023, WHO updated its tracking system and working definitions for variants of concern, variants of interest and variants under monitoring, as per WHO. (ANI)

WHO designates Covid's BA.2.86 as 'variant under monitoring'

After six days of a nationwide falling trend in COVID cases, <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> reported a hike on Wednesday with 10,542 new infections, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The country had seen a declining graph in the past five days from April 14 to April 18 when 11,109 and 7,633 cases were reported respectively. India had recorded 9,111 on April 17, 10,093 on April 16, and 10,753 on April 15. According to the Union Health Ministry, the country's active cases increased to 63,562 which was 61,233 yesterday. As many as 8,175 COVID patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours taking the total number of recoveries to 4,42,50,649. The recovery rate stands at 98.67 per cent. The daily case positivity rate increased from 3.62 per cent on Tuesday to 4.39 per cent today, while the weekly positivity rate increased to 5.14 today from 5.04 yesterday. A total of 220.66 crore COVID vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far. "92.46 crore total Tests conducted so far; 2,40,014 tests conducted in the last 24 hours," the Ministry said. Meanwhile, medical experts have warned that the new XBB1.16 variant is able to evade the immune system of people and the upcoming four weeks are very crucial. Former director of AIIMS, Delhi, Dr Randeep Guleria has said while the country was seeing a fresh surge in Covid-19 infections, the situation isn't one to induce panic. "Covid-19 cases have been on the rise across the country. But the majority of the infections are mild. The rate of hospitalisation hasn't gone up either. It's not a panic-like situation yet," Guleria told ANI. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/unpaid-subsidies-worth-1200-crore-leading-to-serious-liquidity-crisis-among-ev-makers-says-industry-body/articleshow/99589401.cms">Unpaid subsidies worth ₹1,200 crore leading to ‘serious liquidity crisis’ among EV makers, says industry body</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/ather-finally-focuses-on-affordable-electric-scooters-after-losing-its-lead-to-ola-electric-and-tvs-motor/articleshow/99456189.cms">Ather finally focuses on affordable electric scooters after losing its lead to Ola Electric and TVS Motor</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-s23-plus-smartphone-review/articleshow/99302027.cms">Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus review: The perfect blend of style and substance</a>

After days of declining trend in Covid cases, India sees single-day rise of 10,542 cases

<ul><li>Despite the fact that the majority of people in Delhi NCR have not been tested for Covid, the city is still seeing test positivity rates of over 32%.</li><li>45% of respondents surveyed in Delhi NCR have confirmed that one or more members of their household have Covid.</li><li>50% of those unwell are taking paracetamol; 38% are using cough syrup; 38% are taking home remedies like warm fluids with herbs, spices and tea.</li></ul> Even though the number of new Covid cases reported daily is not significant anymore as most individuals experiencing Covid symptoms are choosing not to get tested, what is important is the test positivity rate which indicates the prevalence of the Covid virus. Currently, at a national level, India's Covid test positivity rate is just over 8%. However, Delhi is reporting a test positivity rate of more than 32%, a rate that was not observed during any of the three waves of Covid in 2020, 2021 and 2022, reveals a survey by LocalCirles, a community social media platform. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Home remedies a popular choice to combat Covid symptoms" comment="subhead" text="Home remedies a popular choice to combat Covid symptoms">Home remedies a popular choice to combat Covid symptoms</cmsannotation> When the survey asked the respondents about the medication or remedies they or their family members were taking, some of the 10,098 participants indicated more than one option. The majority, 50%, reported taking paracetamol, while 38% reported using cough syrup, and another 38% mentioned consuming home remedies like warm fluids infused with herbs, spices, tea, etc. Additionally, 25% reported using ointments for cold/congestion, 25% are taking anti-allergy tablets, and 25% are using steam inhalation. Moreover, 38% stated that they were taking Ayush medicines, and 13% confirmed taking antibiotics, despite government and health experts' warnings not to take antibiotics for Covid unless prescribed by a doctor. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Basic precautions not being followed" comment="subhead" text="Basic precautions not being followed">Basic precautions not being followed</cmsannotation> Despite the fact that a majority of people in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) have not been tested for Covid, the city is still seeing test positivity rates of over 32%. As a result, nearly every other household currently has one or more members who are suffering from Covid. This information is supported by the survey finding, which states that 45% of respondents have confirmed that one or more members of their household have Covid, and 80% of those respondents reported that 2-4 or more members of their household have the virus, highlighting the highly infectious nature of the current dominant Covid variant XBB.1.16. What makes this situation different from before is that most people are not following basic precautions such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing, nor are they adhering to quarantine norms. In many cases, people are going to work or school and using public transport while exhibiting symptoms, which is causing the virus to spread rapidly. Most of the people living in Delhi NCR may have already experienced Covid-19 infection for the second or third time. “This raises concerns among some public health experts about whether Covid-19 will become an endemic disease like the flu, or if it is a blood vessel disease that could cause medium to long-term health issues for those who get infected repeatedly,” says the report. If it is the latter case, we may be facing a prolonged health pandemic, and prevention would be the only viable strategy.

Covid is back: Almost half of the households in Delhi NCR have one or more family member unwell, says LocalCircles survey

<ul><li>The number of fresh new Covid-19 cases reported in India on Wednesday stood at 1,134 vs 699 reported on Tuesday.</li><li>The rise in Covid-19 cases coincides with a rise in the number of H3N2 flu.</li><li>Change in seasons is causing a spurt in cases, say doctors. </li></ul>The number of fresh new Covid-19 cases reported in India on Wednesday stood at 1,134, according to government data. This is a significant rise as compared to the 699 infections reported on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review the situation and public health preparedness, a PTI report said quoting officials. The rise in Covid-19 cases this time around coincides with unseasonal rains in March, which has led to a rise in the number of flu cases, including the new strain of H3N2 virus. The symptoms — cough, body ache, fever, and sore throat — are similar for H3N2 virus and Covid-19. H3N2 and H3N1 are influenza A viruses which have similar flu symptoms. In severe cases, however, people may also experience breathlessness and/or wheezing, as per <keyword id="6364555" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="indian-council-of-medical-research" source="Orion">Indian Council of Medical Research</keyword> (ICMR). No cause for worry say doctors The new Covid-19 cases are believed to belong to the Omicron sub-variants of XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.5 – which are known to be highly transmissible. This variant is also behind the surge of cases in the United States. Experts, however, believe that it might not cause a fresh wave. "We believe that this is a change between the two seasons and we are seeing a spurt in the cases because of that. As soon as the summer sets in and the sweltering heat comes in, hopefully these cases will go down," Dr Rahul Pandit, a member of the Covid task force and Chair, Critical Care, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, told IANS. The current Covid-19 active caseload stands at 7,026 which is 0.01% of the total cases reported. The country also reported five Covid deaths in a short span of time from Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra and one in Kerala. Until now, as many 5.3 lakh Covid deaths have been reported in the country since the pandemic set in. "Covid is now just like the flu or a common cold. There is no significant increase in hospitalisation, ICU admission or death rate," epidemiologist Dr (Prof) Amitav Banerjee told IANS. As per the data, the recovery of 662 patients in one day took the cumulative tally to 4,41,60,279. Consequently, the recovery rate stands at 98.79%. Meanwhile, the daily positivity rate has been reported to be 1.09%, while the weekly positivity rate in the country currently also stands at 0.98%. India administered 7,673 doses in the last 24 hours, and a total number of vaccines were at 220.65 doses. (With inputs from PTI &amp; IANS)

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New Omicron subvariant becomes 2nd dominant strain in US

IANS

Covid entering endemic stage in India, cases likely to start subsiding after 10-12 days

PTI

A man discovered a pus-filled 'pseudomembrane' in his eye after getting a COVID-induced pink eye infection

Hilary Brueck

WHO designates Covid's BA.2.86 as 'variant under monitoring'

ANI

After days of declining trend in Covid cases, India sees single-day rise of 10,542 cases

ANI

Covid is back: Almost half of the households in Delhi NCR have one or more family member unwell, says LocalCircles survey

Anagh Pal

India’s new Covid-19 cases jump, PM Modi to hold high-level meeting

BI India Bureau