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.