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Virus Evolution

COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant Detected In Maryland COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant Detected In Maryland
Covid-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant Detected In Maryland A new COVID-19 variant first detected in New York in January has now been identified in 27 states, including Maryland. The so-called Arcturus strain — officially known as XBB.1.16 — is believed to be one of the most infectious versions of Omicron to date.  Shortly after the World Health Organization began monitoring the variant in late March, cases had been reported in about two dozen countries. The WHO says Arcturus is a "recombinant" of COVID subvariants BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. In addition to New York, XBB.1.16 has also been confirmed in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virgi…