The Arcturus Covid variant, also known as XBB.1.16, is a new strain that has caught the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its high transmissibility. It has been declared a “variant under monitoring” since late March and is causing a surge in many countries. According to Dr. Vipin Vashishtha, a pediatrician, the variant’s symptoms include high fever, cough, and itchy conjunctivitis or pinkeye. While it is too early to tell if the symptom set has truly shifted, researchers have identified the virus in the eye’s tear film, which could lead to conjunctivitis.