A new variant of COVID-19 being monitored by the World Health Organization appears to be causing a new symptom in children rarely found in other Omicron sub-variants.

The Omicron sub-variant, XBB.1.16, named Arcturus by variant trackers, has caused a recent spike in cases in India, while reported cases are declining in much of the rest of the world.

India’s Ministry of Health is conducting simulation exercises to make sure hospitals are ready for a surge in COVID-19 cases, the BBC reported on Monday, noting that some states have again mandated the wearing of masks.

A variant has also been found in the US, Singapore and Australia.

Dr. Vipin Vashishtha, a pediatrician from India and former head of the Immunization Committee of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, tweeted about the symptoms he observed in children who developed the Arcturus variant.

Tracking #SARS-CoV-2 pedigree XBB.1.16* (#Arcturus) over time – Globally

Total sequences: 2393

Tracker: https://t.co/VaSl5Y3js3

Note. Are the last weeks of Epi incomplete? Includes sequences from Target Surveillance and Airport Surveillance

Updated: 04/10/23 pic.twitter.com/PkqoTU2c9o

— Raj Rajnaryanan (@RajlabN) April 10, 2023

• Heat
• Cough
• Itchy conjunctivitis, in which the eyes become red and swollen and sometimes have a sticky discharge (not pus).

The latter symptom has not been seen in previous waves of COVID-19, an Indian pediatrician noted.

On Monday, the Times of India reported that the number of coronavirus cases among children under 12 in India is on the rise.

Although the disease is relatively mild with the new variant, doctors warn “parents of children with obesity, asthma and other illnesses not to ignore the symptoms.”

Experts told The Times that they are also seeing an increase in hospital admissions in India, while noting that even rapid tests cannot detect this option.

Source: Fortune, BBC, Time.