New Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 becomes second dominant strain in U.S.

LOS ANGELES, April 28 (Xinhua) -- New Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 is spreading fast in the United States, becoming the second dominant strain in the country, according to data updated Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The subvariant, referred to as "arcturus", has accounted for about 12 percent of new weekly COVID-19 cases reported in the country, up from 7.4 percent the week prior, according to CDC data.

Experts warned the percentage is expected to increase in the coming weeks, possibly become the next dominant coronavirus strain in the country.

The highly transmissible Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 remains the dominant strain in the United States and accounted for about 68.8 percent of new COVID-19 cases this week, CDC data showed.

The World Health Organization is monitoring XBB.1.16, which is contributing to a recent surge of COVID-19 cases in India.