Omicron's new variant, XBB.1.16, is spreading in the United States

A new Omicron variant is spreading in the United States and makes up nearly 10 percent of new weekly COVID-19 cases reported across the country, according to data updated Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new mutant called ′′ Arcturus ′′ also known as XBB. 1.16 of the sub-strain of the ′′ Omicron ′′ mutant was added by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to its tracker. Experts have warned that the percentage is expected to rise in the coming weeks and it could become the next dominant strain in the country.

The agency's data showed that the highly transmissible sub-mutant XBB.1.5 from Omicron remains the dominant strain in the United States, accounting for about 73.6 percent of new COVID-19 cases this week.

The World Health Organization is monitoring XBB.1.16, which has contributed to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in India.