MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported that the new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, also known as the Arcturus, is more transmissible but poses a low risk to infected people.
“Overall risk assessment is low,” the DOH said in a statement following the detection of the first case of Arcturus in the country.
Citing an assessment of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the new Omicron subvariant, the DOH said there had been no changes in severity reported in countries where the subvariant XBB1.16 is currently circulating.
“There may have been slight increases in bed occupancy in India, but levels are still much lower compared to the effects of the previous variants,” the DOH said, quoting the WHO assessment report.
At this time, the DOH said the WHO has yet to confirm the symptoms of Arcturus like sticky eyes or conjunctivitis.
Aside from flu-like symptom of COVID-19, health officials said the symptoms of the new variant varies from case to case.
“What is important is that cases remain manageable,” the health department said.
The DOH said the detected XBB 1.16 case in Iloilo was asymptomatic and has already recovered.
It reported the detection of the first Arcturus case in its latest bio-surveillance report issued this week.
At a previous briefing, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the XBB.1.16 is a sublineage of Omicron and like any Omicron variant, the Arcturus is capable of evading immunity and is more transmissible.
With the detection of the new Omicron subvariant and the increase in COVID-19 cases in some parts of the country, the DOH reminded the public to take the necessary protection against the infection.
It advised the public to wear face masks, immediately isolate when sick and ensure good airflow in public places.
Filipinos were also urged to get their vaccine and booster shots as immunization remains to be the most effective and long-term protection against COVID.
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