The first death from the new COVID-19 strain, Arcturus, has been reported in Thailand, according to the health officials, who announced the news on Friday. This comes amid an increase in cases around the world. The viral strain, which is estimated to be about 1.2 times more contagious than the previous significant subvariant, claimed the life of an unknown elderly man.
The dead was a foreign national who also had underlying medical issues, according to Dr. Supakit Sirilak, general director of the Medical Sciences Department.
“The deceased was a senior foreigner with underlying medical issues. The impact of this subvariant on other risk factors, rather than the severity of this subvariant itself, may therefore be what is being reflected by his death, according to Dr. Sirilak.
Comparing the nine days of April 9 to the fifteen days of April, there was a nearly 2.5-fold increase in the number of patients admitted to hospitals nationwide.
In response, Thai health officials have issued a warning about the new subvariant and advised the general population to exercise caution and behave in a Covid-appropriate manner. Brief historical background on Arcturus
Arcturus was initially discovered, interestingly, in India. At least 24 nations have previously been informed about the extremely contagious Covid strain. The variant is up for debate but isn’t a problem, according to specialists.
For a few months, it has been in use. However, this is the reason why these mechanisms are in place—we haven’t observed a shift in the severity in either individuals or communities. The spike protein contains an extra alteration that, according to laboratory tests, increases virulence and infectivity, according to a statement made last month by Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead for Covid.
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The new strain is second only to the Omicron variation in the US in terms of coronavirus cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The symptoms brought on by Arcturus are essentially the same as those brought on by the earlier varieties, according to doctors. Conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the outer layer of the eye, is regarded as one of the distinctive signs of the virus and is frequently seen in those who have it.
Which defenses against Arcturus should you use?
To defend oneself against the new strain, nothing out of the norm is required. The most crucial precautions involve keeping up with vaccines and booster shots, using a mask, avoiding close contact with others, cleaning your hands, and making an effort to spend as much time as possible outside or in well-ventilated locations.
