‘Pink eye’ a symptom of Arcturus COVID-19, says expert

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is one of the new symptoms associated with COVID-19, particularly the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 or Arcturus.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras”, Dr. Rontgene Solante said individuals with “Arcturus pink eye” will have symptoms other symptoms associated with COVID-19.

“Sore throat, runny nose, and then may iba nag-manifest ng headache. Merong konting lagnat, at ‘yung ubo and itong mga sintomas na ’to di mo nakikita sa mayroon lang pure conjunctivitis,” Solante said.

(Sore throat, runny nose, and the others will manifest headache. A little and cough. These are symptoms that you will not see in those with and sometimes, fever. These symptoms are not present in pure conjunctivitis.)

Solante advised the public to remain vigilant against sore eyes and COVID-19, as both conditions are highly-transmissible.

“They just have to isolate themselves, nandun lang sa bahay. They have to wash their hands every time they will touch their face or yung sa eyes nila," Solante said.

(They just have to isolate themselves. Stay at home, and wash their hands every time they touch their eyes or face.)

"They should not be touching other people, that’s another means of transmitting it to another individual,” he added.

Independent monitoring group Octa Research Group earlier attributed the rising coronavirus infections to the Arcturus subvariant, which was first detected in a patient from Iloilo province.

The Department of Health said the coronavirus patient was asymptomatic and has already recovered.

Experts encouraged Filipinos, especially those in the vulnerable sector, to continue adhering to the minimum public health standards such as wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News