“Arcturus” - scientifically called XBB.1.16 - is a spin-off of Omicron, and is thought to be the most contagious variant yet.

Speaking to a radio program this morning, David Hui Shu-cheong, a respiratory expert at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said a few samples collected in Hong Kong returned positive results for Arcturus, but he said people should not worry about it.

He said the cases could be imported and there were no signs of the variant spreading in the city.

Although Arcturus is more contagious than the others, with a number of children infected with it developing keratitis, the severity of the new variant currently circulating in overseas countries has not gone up, Hui added.

The health expert also noted that the Covid-19 oral drugs were effective in treating Arcturus, and that the protection offered by vaccines is still helpful with infectees.