India is currently witnessing a surge in Covid cases, driven by sub-variants of Omicron. Adding to the existing JN.1, a newly emerging XFG variant has been detected in India causing a rise in infections.
According to the data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), as many as 163 cases of the newly emerging XFG have been detected in India so far.
XFG cases were reported in states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases with 89 people infected with the XFG virus.
What do we know about the XFG variant?
XFG variant is a descendant of the Omicron subvariant, which was first detected in Canada, according to The Lancet journal.
Originating from LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, XFG harbours four key spike mutations (His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile). It has achieved rapid global spread, the study added.
The Lancet study also mentions that the XFG variant has a "strong immune evasion", which makes way for the virus to survive and spread as it manages to evade the body's natural defences.
The total number of Covid cases in the country has crossed the 6,500 mark. As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 6,491 active cases have been recorded across India.
As per the Health Ministry, 65 deaths were reported in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat and Delhi.
Kerala is the worst-hit state in the new surge. Amid the surge, the state health ministry has made Covid tests mandatory for those exhibiting the symptoms. The state government has also issued guidelines for taking necessary precautions.
