XBB1 Variant

 XBB1 VARIANT

Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

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The surge in Covid-19 infections in India is linked to 349 cases of XBB1. 16 variant

India has seen a surge in daily Covid-19 infections, with 349 cases of the newly detected XBB1.16 variant, which may be responsible for the recent increase in cases. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), Maharashtra has the highest number of XBB1.16 variant cases with 105 cases, followed by Telangana with 93 cases, Karnataka with 61 cases, and Gujarat with 54 cases.

XBB1.16 variant: Descendant of XBB lineage and the most contagious variant so far

The XBB1.16 variant, which is considered to be the most contagious variant so far, is a recombinant lineage of the virus and a descendant of the XBB lineage of Covid-19. It was first detected in India in January 2022, when two samples tested positive for the variant. In February, 140 XBB1.16 variant samples were reported, and in March, 207 XBB1.16 variant samples were found.

 

What Is XBB.1.16 Variant?

To understand the basic concept of variants, one needs to get the fact that variants are the results of continuous mutations in the spike protein of the COVID virus. The variants are mutating and forming new sub-variants — one of the highest mutated versions of the COVID virus in the Omicron variant. It comes with over 42 mutations in its spike protein, making it capable of evading the immune system of the human body. However, this is not it. The XBB.1.16 is a mutant strain of SARS CoV 2, mainly of Omicron, and has the ability to escape the immunity smartly system of the body (both vaccine and natural immunity) smartly.

 

XBB1.16 variant: A significant threat that can evade immunity

Health experts have warned that XBB1.16, a mutant strain of SARS-CoV-2, can evade immunity, making it a significant threat. Symptoms of the XBB1.16 variant include upper respiratory issues, such as a blocked nose, headache, and sore throat, along with fever and myalgia, which typically last for three to four days. Currently, the XBB1.16 variant does not appear to cause severe health issues.

 

XBB1.16 variant spreads to at least 12 countries; health expert urges Covid-appropriate behavior

The XBB1.16 variant has been detected in at least 12 countries, with the highest number of cases in India, followed by the US, Brunei, Singapore, and the UK. According to Dr. Randeep Guleria, former AIIMS director and leader of the national Covid task force, the rise in Covid cases in India appears to be driven by the XBB1.16 variant. He emphasized the importance of following Covid-appropriate behavior to contain the spread of infection and reassured the public that most cases are not severe, so there is no need to panic.

 

In the last couple of days, India has witnessed a sharp rise in its daily COVID-19 infection rates. As per reports, a new variant XBB.1.16 is triggering the recent surge in the country. This new variant is one of the many XBB variants that are currently in circulation globally. The variant comes with the restructured ability to evade the immune system of the body, thus making even fully vaccinated ones vulnerable.

Is this a sign of another COVID wave in India? Speaking to the media, the former AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria has said that there is no need to panic at the moment. However, he also urged people to follow the safety protocols. “New variants will keep coming as the virus keeps on mutating over time and the XBB 1.16 is sort of a new kid on the block,” Guleria said.

 

The country, which was reporting a major drop in daily infection numbers, has suddenly started reporting a spike in fresh cases. The fresh surge in the numbers is raising the eyebrows of healthcare workers as they fear a new wave of infection in the upcoming weeks. So what is the future of COVID? Let’s understand from the experts and the data.

 

India Reports New Cases of XBB.1.16 Variant

 

As the country faces a sudden surge in its daily COVID cases, the health department of India has urged people to remain vigilant. Several states have re-implemented COVID-safety protocols in order to contain the spread of the virus. According to the latest report, 349 cases of newly detected XBB1.16 variant have been confirmed in India in the last 24 hours. India’s Sars-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing Consortium (INSACOG) data has revealed that the highest number of XBB1.16 variant cases has been found in Maharashtra with 105 cases, followed by Telangana with 93 cases, Karnataka with 61 cases and Gujarat with 54 cases. What is this new variant? How does it differ from the currently present variants in the environment? Will India see a new wave of virus infection in the upcoming days? Let’s take a quick look at what risk XBB.1.16 variant brings to us, and how one can spot the infection.

 

XBB.1.16: The Most Contagious Variant

India faced the deadly and most ferocious second wave of COVID-19 in early 2021. The wave was dominated by the highly lethal Delta variant of COVID-19. However, the XBB.1.16 variant is also known to be one of the most contagious variants of the coronavirus which is s preading fast across the states in India. The first case of the XBB.1.16 Variant was found in January this year when two samples tested positive. In February, 140 samples of the XBB 1.16 variant were reported. In March, 207 XBB 1.16 variant samples have been found till now, the data revealed.

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur