What to Know About Arcturus, the Latest COVID Variant

An XBB-specific vaccine could be available in the fall. On June 15, an advisory committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted unanimously in favor of updating the shots to take aim at the XBB lineage. If the FDA agrees, the new vaccines could be ready sometime in September. 

Does the new subvariant cause new symptoms?

So far, there’s no sign that this subvariant causes people to get sicker, officials with the World Health Organization (WHO) say. In the U.S., hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have steadily declined since winter, federal data shows, though they remain highest among the older adult population. 

However, symptoms may differ with XBB.1.16. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, has been linked with COVID-19 in the past, but Binnicker says some doctors in India have noted it’s popping up more often in people infected with XBB.1.16, especially in children. Some people may also experience higher fevers, he says. 

“So those are two things for physicians to keep an eye on as we start to see an increase in prevalence here in the U.S.,” Binnicker says. 

This time of year, the red, itchy eyes that accompany conjunctivitis could easily be blamed on seasonal allergies. Conjunctivitis can also be a symptom of other viral infections, such as adenovirus, which is spiking in the U.S., national surveillance data shows. Binnicker says this underscores the importance of getting tested for the coronavirus if you experience any symptoms related to an infection. With a positive test, you could be eligible for antiviral treatments that can significantly reduce your risk of severe COVID-19 complications.

Another tip: Stay vigilant. WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a media briefing that the emergence of XBB.1.16 illustrates that the “virus is still changing and is still capable of causing new waves of disease and death.” 

Editor's note: This story, originally published May 1, 2023, has been updated to reflect new information.