COVID-19 subvariant trends, updates

Editor's Note

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, also referred to as Arcturus, accounted for nearly 12% of COVID-19 cases in the US last week, and another relative, XBB.1.9.1 is responsible for 9% of cases, as of April 29, the April 28 Becker’s Clinical Leadership & Infection Control reports.

In other news, the CDC is trimming the number of COVID-19 data elements hospitals must report, once the Public Health Emergency is over on May 11. The number of metrics hospitals are required to report will be cut from 62 to 44, and the frequency of reporting will decrease to once weekly.

The CDC also loosened its rules for international travelers, allowing some who have had just a single dose of an mRNA vaccine, issued on or after August 12, 2022, to board US-bound flights.