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A new highly transmissible Omicron variant virus branch XBB.1.16 Arcturus (Arcturus) appeared in India. Xu Lejian, director of the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health, said today (22nd) that sporadic cases have also been recorded in Hong Kong, which is not a mainstream virus, and there are more children in India. The patient developed conjunctivitis, but there are not many data. The current mainstream virus strains in Hong Kong are still BA.2 and BA.5, and patients generally have no symptoms or mild symptoms.
Xu also said that although the number of confirmed cases of the new crown is on the rise, it is an endemic disease like the flu, and citizens will not be required to wear masks. He also pointed out that Hong Kong has entered the peak season of influenza, and it is expected that the number of infections and hospital admissions will increase, calling for influenza vaccination as soon as possible.
Xu Lejian, Director of the Center for Health Protection. (Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
Confirmed cases are on the rise, severe cases and deaths have not increased significantly
The Center for Health Protection said on Monday (17th) that a total of 7 positive cases of Arcturus have been recorded in Hong Kong. Xu Lejian, chief director of the Protection Center, said after attending the event today that Arcturus has sporadic cases in Hong Kong and is not a mainstream virus. Although more children in India have conjunctivitis, there is not much data. He emphasized that the current mainstream virus strains in Hong Kong are still BA.2 and BA. 5. Patients are generally asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic.
Xu Lejian said that although the number of confirmed cases of the new crown is on the rise, it is still an endemic disease like the flu, and the number of severe cases and deaths has not increased significantly. The authorities will continue to closely monitor the situation. He also said that in the case of endemic diseases, citizens are not strictly required to wear masks, but if citizens have symptoms, they can wear masks to avoid the spread of the virus.
He continued that Hong Kong has entered the peak season of influenza, and it is expected that the spread of the virus and the number of hospital admissions will increase, calling on the public to get vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible.