Â鶹´«Ã½

Coronavirus

    • What we know about the new Omicron subvariant, Arcturus

    Share

    The COVID-19 subvariant, dubbed by the World Health Organization, was first detected in the Indian subcontinent in late January. It has since been detected in 29 countries, though experts say it is likely circulating undetected in many others. So far, XBB.1.16 does not appear to have been detected in Canada.

    "We don't know yet how this variant is going to pan out," said Dr. Don Vinh, a professor in the departments of medicine, medical microbiology and human genetics at McGill University, in a phone interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday.

    "There have certainly been variants that have emerged and then fizzled out, like the Gamma variant in South America, and there are clearly more often variants that have emerged and caused problems, like Omicron. I think what we have to do is be vigilant."

    The WHO hasn't yet classified XBB.1.16 – informally nicknamed 'Arcturus' – a variant of concern or interest, referring to it instead as a "variant under observation."

    Here is what we know about the Omicron subvariant so far.

    WHAT IS THE ‘ARCTURUS’ COVID VARIANT?

    According to the World Health Organization's April 13 epidemiological update, detections of the subvariant had been reported as of April 11.

    XBB.1.16 is the recombinant – or a product of the mixing together – of the It is similar in profile to another variant, XBB.1.5, except that it has one additional spike protein mutation, which lab studies have shown could increase infectivity and disease severity.

    However, the WHO said it has no evidence the subvariant has actually caused more severe illness than previous variants. XBB.1.16 does appear to have a high growth rate, and it has driven a So far, the WHO reports XBB.1.16 does not seem to have driven a rise in ICU admissions or deaths even in countries where it has driven up case counts.

    "Most of the sequences are from India, and in India XBB.1.16 has replaced the other variants that are in circulation. So, this is one to watch. It has been in circulation for a few months," said Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for COVID-19 response at the WHO, during a virtual media briefing

    WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

    Although XBB.1.16's genetic makeup suggests it could lead to more severe COVID-19 symptoms, the data scientists have on the variant so far suggests it hasn't done so. People sick with SARS-CoV-2 and its variants – and subvariants – can experience a

    These can include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, a new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

    "It's likely that it's going to be more of the same in the sense that we might see a rise in cases and we might see a corresponding rise in hospitalizations associated with it," said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, clinical investigator at Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and associate professor at the University of Toronto, in a phone interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday.

    "It's extremely unlikely that it's going to cause the same degree of pressure on our health-care system as we once saw earlier on in the pandemic."

    IS THIS SOMETHING CANADIANS SHOULD BE CONCERNED Â鶹´«Ã½?

    Neither Vinh nor Bogoch is aware of evidence that XBB.1.16 is circulating in Canada, however, both said that doesn't mean it isn't here or won't be detected here eventually.

    And although it hasn't been shown to lead to severe symptoms in most people, Bogoch said even a variant that leads to mild illness can seriously impact provincial health-care systems, as Canada saw during the Omicron – or BA.1 – wave in late 2021 and early 2022.

    "That initial wave was extremely challenging. It put considerable pressure on our health-care system because so many people were sick in such a short period of time," Bogoch told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview on Wednesday.

    "And even though hospitalizations weren't all that common, there were so many people who were infected that a small percentage requiring hospitalization out of a large number of people who were infected ended up being a lot of people in hospital."

    Additionally, while many people infected with the subvariant might experience mild-to-moderate illness, seniors and people with immunocompromising conditions would face significant risk in the event of another variant-driven COVID-19 surge. Canada has reported since the pandemic began, many of which were in vulnerable, high-risk populations.

    And Vinh pointed out that even mild COVID-19 cases in otherwise healthy people can have lasting consequences.

    "There are people who get infected, recover from it, but then develop the long-term complications of long COVID," he said. "People think long COVID is that you can't smell or your brain is foggy. But we also have…things like an increased risk of heart attacks or an increased risk of strokes in the months subsequent to that infection, even if they are mild in the acute phase."

    In short, Canadians shouldn't dismiss XBB.1.16 as a non-threat.

    Fortunately, Bogoch said it's highly likely the existing bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters provide some protection against XBB.1.16, just as they have with other Omicron subvariants. Other tried and tested precautions shown to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection should also help protect against XBB.1.16, should it begin circulating widely in Canada.

    "No one wants to be infected with COVID or any other infection, so in the absence of large public health initiatives, people can take their own initiative to reduce the risk of infection," he said. "So that means putting on a mask in indoor settings, being up to date on vaccinations, which lowers the risk of more severe manifestations of the virus, things like that." 

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

    Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

    Canada

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • Two nephews of the beloved Harry R. Hamilton share stories about his life and legacy.

    • The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    • A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.

    World

    Politics

    • Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

    Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

    A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

    As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

    A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

    A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

    Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    • LIVE

      LIVE

      Thousands of people are gathered in downtown Vancouver to observe the city’s 100th Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • A suspect was arrested for allegedly brandishing a knife outside a Vancouver elementary school on Friday – just as the young students were heading home for the day.

    • The federal government is urging both sides in the British Columbia port dispute to return to the table after mediated talks broke off on Saturday, the first of three scheduled days.

    • Several hundred people gathered outside the Ontario legislature in Toronto to honour veterans and remember those who died fighting for their country.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift’s upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada’s largest city for a six-show run later this month.

    • A man believed to be in his 40s has been rushed to a trauma centre following a stabbing in downtown Toronto.

    • Calgarians will be observing Remembrance Day at a number of different ceremonies across the city, including at the Hangar Flight Museum.

    • July 2025 may seem like it’s in the distant future, but for the St. Luke playground committee time is ticking to fundraise the $340,000 they still need to build a new playground.

    • Getting out to the mountains is even easier with a new bus route from a growing Germany-based service.

    • Crowds gathered in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Monday to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of Canada.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.

    • After months of controversy surrounding a dog park in Ottawa's west end, a solution has been reached to divide the park in half.

    • A 36-year-old Montreal man who was out on bail after allegedly uttering death threats to a woman is now accused of murdering her on the South Shore.

    • With fewer interments and rising maintenance fees, the money for Canada's largest military cemetery will run out in three to four years.

    • Montreal Metro passengers can now flag a safety concern by texting a new phone number launched by the STM.

    • A member of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton participated in the national Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on Monday.

    • WEATHER

      WEATHER

      This is shaping up to be one of the warmest Remembrance Days in the past decade, at least, for temperatures.

    • Thousands of Maritimers turned out in wet weather Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day.

    • A Cape Breton senior recalls her life in German-occupied France, and her mother’s death, during the Second World War.

    • Thousand of people gathered at the Menin Gate in the Ypres, Belgium for Monday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony.

    • Remembrance Day is today, and a number of ceremonies are taking place around the province to honour those who gave their lives to serve our country.

    • A pillar in Canada’s history was honoured in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon, with thousands showing up to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Murray Sinclair.

    • One Manitoba veteran is on a mission to commemorate and honour those who served our country, and not just on Remembrance Day.

    • There will be two ceremonies taking place in Regina for Remembrance Day, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book ‘War Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.’

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

    • Emergency crews responded to the scene on Road 68/Highway 2 east of Thamesford around 7 p.m.

    • The events will start at 10:15 a.m. with a parade that forms up in front of the Delta London Armories, marches east on Dundas Street and turns north onto Waterloo Street to Dufferin Avenue, the west to the Cenotaph.

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • A Barrie man is at the centre of an alleged $2.2 million stolen used car scheme.

    • Environment Canada issued a weather alert for Barrie, Collingwood and surrounding areas, alerting residents about the wicked winds that are expected to pick up to 80 kilometres per hour in the afternoon hours.

    • Barrie residents gathered on Monday to honour Canada’s veterans and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for the country.

    • Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, wreath bearers, government officials, and members of the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square for the outdoor service.

    • Windsor Paralympic champion, Danielle Campo, has been crowned the number one Inspirational Speaker of the Year for 2024 at the Inspirational Speaking Finals.

    • One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • Six deer were struck by vehicles in six different locations in a six-hour period on B.C. highways on Saturday, according to the transportation ministry.

    • The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year’s host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes broke open a close game with three goals in the first two minutes of the third period as they defeated the Warriors 7-3 in a game played Friday night in Moose Jaw.

    • There might not a lot snow just yet, but many southern Albertans are still itching to get outdoors.

    • It was just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down when the Shaft Bottom Boys of Sudbury broke a world record for 'Deepest Concert Underground.' Now, more than four years later, a Timmins band is looking to take the title.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • Mayors of the five largest cities in northern Ontario met in North Bay the last two days to discuss a range of critical issues impacting their cities and the region.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at Â鶹´«Ã½. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹´«Ã½