New COVID-19 strain called Arcturus may cause pink eye

Officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) revealed that the new COVID-19 strain, Arcturus, may cause pink eye.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health identified three cases of the XBB.1.16 strain, with "observational data" indicating that patients infected with Arcturus are more likely to develop conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye.

While it is too soon to tell whether conjunctivitis is a symptom of Arcturus, local health officials have advised residents to "take the same sensible COVID precautions to help avoid infection from the new and likely more communicable XBB.1.16 strain."

"Residents should be aware that itchy, watery, or red eyes may be a sign of a COVID-19 infection, and these symptoms should not be simply dismissed as the result of pollen or seasonal allergies, especially if someone more vulnerable to severe illness could be exposed," the release stated.

"Current vaccines and therapeutics are highly likely to remain protective and capable of warding off severe illness," according to the announcement, with health experts encouraging consumers to test for COVID-19 at home.

According to the statement, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Arcturus now accounts for around 8% of COVID-19 cases in California and 10% nationally.

Because Arcturus is a mutated strain of the Omicron variant, the researchers conclude, "The fact that we are seeing new strains, with possibly new and different symptoms, tells us that COVID continues to evolve, and the way we think about our protections should reflect what we know."