How does XBB.1.16 compare to other Covid-19 subvariants?

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XBB.1.16 Subvariant Shows Lower Infection Risk and Severity Compared to Other Subvariants

The XBB.1.16 subvariant, also known as Arcturus, has been assessed by global risk evaluators and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as posing a lower infection risk and causing less severe cases when compared to other previously reported subvariants, including XBB.1.5. The WHO has classified XBB.1.16 as a Variant of Interest (VOI), and while the Technical Advisory Group on the SARS-CoV Virus Evaluation considers it a subvariant requiring attention, it is not categorized within the Variant Under Monitoring class.
Global Detection and Malaysian Cases

As of April 2, the XBB.1.16 subvariant had been identified in a minimum of 31 countries globally, with Malaysia being among them. Within Malaysia, a total of twelve cases of this subvariant have been reported. All individuals diagnosed with XBB.1.16 in Malaysia have experienced only mild symptoms and remain in a stable condition.
Geographical Distribution within Malaysia

The reported twelve cases of the XBB.1.16 subvariant in Malaysia are geographically distributed across several states. Specifically, six cases were detected in Sarawak, four cases were identified in Selangor, and two cases were confirmed in Kuala Lumpur. This distribution indicates a presence across different regions of the country.
Origin and Composition of XBB.1.16

The XBB.1.16 subvariant is a descendant of the Omicron variant. It emerged as a result of recombination, specifically a genetic combination of two earlier subvariants: BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. This recombinant nature is a key characteristic of its genetic makeup.
Overall Covid-19 Case Trends in Malaysia

The detection of XBB.1.16 in Malaysia coincides with a broader trend of declining Covid-19 cases. In Epidemiology Week (EW) 16/23, there was a 6.4 per cent decrease in reported cases, falling from 5,149 to 4,817. Cumulatively, up to this period, 70.97 per cent, or 8,319 cases, were attributed to Variants of Concern (VOC) and Variants of Interest (VOI), predominantly Omicron and its various subvariants.

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How does XBB.1.16 compare to other Covid-19 subvariants?

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