Pink Eye Linked to COVID-19 Variants

Pink eye has been identified as a new symptom of COVID-19, particularly in children, according to infectious disease experts. The symptom is attributed to a mutated version of the Omicron variant called Arcturus, which is highly transmissible but responds to existing vaccines. Federal guidelines allow those at higher risk for severe disease to receive an extra shot of an updated version of the Pfizer or Moderna booster dose. Experts urge parents to keep children with symptoms of fever or respiratory infections at home and not send them to school.