The much-discussed corona subline XBB.1.16 under the name "Arcturus" has rarely been documented in Germany. In the period from January 30 to March 12, six proofs were transmitted, as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced in its weekly Corona report. However, only a few samples are tested for variants in Germany.
Reports from India in particular have caused a stir in recent days. "In India, a growing proportion of this subline has recently been shown, parallel to an increase in Covid-19 incidences there," the RKI wrote. In recent weeks, XBB.1.16 has been detected in various countries.
According to the RKI, the subline is characterized by three additional mutations in the so-called spike protein. The RKI did not comment on a possible influence of these changes on disease severity or infections. However, experts warn against panic, there is still hardly any reliable data.
"Arcturus" is a subline of the now dominant OMKRON recombinants XBB.1. For Germany, the RKI expects the shares of XBB.1 sublines to continue to rise in the coming weeks. For the currently predominant subline XBB.1.5 in Germany, preliminary data do not indicate an increased disease severity.