A COVID-19 subvariant dubbed XBB.1.16 by the World Health Organization was first detected in the Indian subcontinent in late January.

Source: https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-announces-new-affordable-units-but-middle-class-still-feeling-housing-squeeze-1.6353410

He encouraged Nova Scotians to get vaccinated against both the flu and against the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/chief-medical-officer-update-fall-vaccine-rollout-1.6984853?cmp=rss

June 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Friday it has advised manufacturers that are updating their COVID-19 vaccines to develop monovalent shots to target the XBB.1.5 subvariant.

Source: https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/NOVAVAX-INC-58256108/news/US-FDA-advises-COVID-vaccine-makers-to-develop-shots-aimed-at-XBB-1-5-variant-44133502/?utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=20230616

Meanwhile, four belonged to the BA.2.3.20 subvariant.

Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1804807/doh-logs-107-cases-of-omicron-subvariants-in-western-visayas-davao-region-car

New mutated versions of COVID-19 pop up frequently, but this one has caught the attention of scientists due to the large number of mutations compared to its predecessor, Omicron subvariant BA.

Source: https://www.9news.com.au/national/covid19-variant-ba286-known-as-pirola-in-australia-after-sparking-uks-sped-up-vaccine-program/19fa1384-2ad1-4f02-885d-288bee7866a1

The omicron subvariant known as XBB.1.5 now accounts for more than 40% of new COVID infections in the U.S. and around 75% of cases in the Northeast.

Source: https://woub.org/2023/01/03/new-covid-subvariant-spreads-rapidly-in-northeast-sparking-concerns-it-evades-vaccines/

The so-called "Kraken subvariant" of Omicron, XBB.1.5, is said to be the most infectious yet, and it is in California, though not yet in large numbers.

Source: https://sfist.com/2023/01/11/faa-system-failure-causes-widespread-flight-delays/

The WHO also reported that recent data from several European countries confirm the increasing presence of the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 variant which could cause a new wave of infections on the continent.

Source: https://nationwideradiojm.com/who-doesnt-expect-chinas-covid-surge-to-significantly-affect-europe/

This Kraken subvariant may be just the comeback COVID needs.

Source: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/satire-dear-diary-kraken-covid-19-variant