Recent United Kingdom Health Security Agency.(UKHSA) data reveals that this variant, responsible for one in seven new cases, has emerged as a significant player in the ongoing pandemic landscape.
It was classified in the UK on 31 July.
Its rapid spread potentially contributes to the recent surge in cases and hospitalizations, warranting attention and concern. The latest data shows the Covid-19 hospital admission rate was 1.97 per 100,000 population, an increase from 1.17 per 100,000 in the previous UKHSA report.
The prevailing variant is the Arcturus XBB.1.16, which stems from the Omicron lineage.
