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First Post
2 days ago
- Health
- First Post
Explained: What is the new XFG variant detected in India amid rising Covid cases?
A newly emerging strain called 'XFG' has now been detected in India, with the Covid-19 case tally surpassing 6,500. According to Insacog, the government agency monitoring the different variants, as many as 163 cases of the XFG variant have been reported in India so far, with the most from Maharashtra (89). Is there a reason to worry? read more According to the Insacog, 163 cases of the XFG variant have been reported across India so far. Image for Representation. Pixabay India is once again seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases, and this time, a new sub-variant is also in the mix. While the JN.1 variant of Omicron has been around for a while, a newly emerging strain called 'XFG' has now been detected in the country, raising fresh concerns as infections are creeping up again. According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog), which monitors how the virus which causes Covid-19 evolves, as many as 163 cases of the XFG variant have been reported across India so far. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This rise in cases comes alongside a steady climb in active infections across the country. According to the Union Health Ministry, India has now recorded over 6,500 active Covid-19 cases, with 769 new cases reported in just the last 48 hours. So, what exactly is this XFG variant? And does it pose a serious threat? Are vaccines effective against the new variant? Here's what we know so far Covid-19 in India: What is the XFG variant? The XFG variant is a recombinant subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus—essentially, it's the result of two earlier strains, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, merging together. Recombinant variants like XFG typically emerge when someone is infected with two different versions of the virus at the same time, allowing the virus to 'mix and match' its genetic code. The XFG variant is a recombinant subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus—essentially, it's the result of two earlier strains, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, merging together. Representational Image According to The Lancet journal, XFG falls under the Omicron family of Covid-19 variants, which has been the dominant global strain since late 2021. It was first detected in Canada. The study also points out that the XFG variant shows 'strong immune evasion'—meaning it has the ability to dodge the body's natural immune defences, helping it survive longer and spread more easily. Where are the XFG cases in India? The latest data from Insacog shows that India has reported 163 cases of the XFG variant so far. Maharashtra has recorded the highest number with 89 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal, each with six cases. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Telangana is the newest state on the list, with one confirmed case. The latest data from Insacog shows that India has reported 163 cases of the XFG variant so far. Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of the XFG variant with 89 cases. Image for Representation/ PTI Most of these infections—159 cases—were detected in May 2024, while two each were reported in April and June. Is there a reason to worry? For now, the answer seems to be no. There is currently no evidence suggesting that the XFG variant causes more severe illness or leads to higher death rates compared to other Omicron sub-variants. As with most strains that evolved from Omicron, XFG is mostly associated with mild upper respiratory symptoms, particularly in people who are vaccinated or have previously recovered from Covid-19. So far, XFG has not been labelled a Variant of Concern (VOC) or Variant of Interest (VOI) by either the World Health Organisation (WHO) or India's Ministry of Health. That means it hasn't been linked to serious outbreaks, a rise in hospitalisations, or issues with vaccine effectiveness—at least not yet. That said, health experts remain cautious. The virus is still evolving, and variants that evade immunity or develop mutations that improve their ability to bind to human cells (especially through the spike protein) could cause future waves if not closely watched. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There is currently no evidence suggesting that the XFG variant causes more severe illness or leads to higher death rates compared to other Omicron sub-variants. Image for Representation. AFP 'According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, 66 per cent of current respiratory viral infections in India are Covid-related. However, hospitalisation is low, including in Telangana. People with two or more comorbidities, weakened immunity, or above 70 years should remain alert,' Dr Kiran Madala, who is also a professor at Gandhi Medical College, told The Times of India. Are vaccines effective against the XFG variant? The good news is that India's current Covid-19 vaccines, including Covaxin, Covishield, and the newer booster shots, are still believed to provide protection against severe illness and hospitalisation from the XFG variant. Health experts say that while mild breakthrough infections can still occur, especially as antibody levels decline over time, the T-cell immunity developed through vaccination is likely to stay effective. Covid-19 cases cross the 6,500 mark According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India's active Covid-19 cases have now surpassed 6,500, pointing to a steady uptick in infections. The Ministry also confirmed 65 Covid-related deaths across Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Delhi. Kerala has emerged as the worst-hit state, with 1,957 active cases and seven new infections reported in just the last 24 hours. Amid the surge, the state government has made Covid-19 testing mandatory for individuals showing symptoms. They have also released updated guidelines, urging the public to take all necessary precautions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies
India Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
New Covid variant developing like a viral, symptoms like cough: Delhi Minister
Hours after Delhi's Covid-19 case count was reported to have breached the 100-mark, Health Minister Pankaj Jain said that the latest variants are slowly developing like viral fever bearing symptoms of common cold and cough. He sought to allay concerns amid a steep rise in the number of cases in recent days, saying there was no need to an apparent rise in new Covid-19 infections across several cities, the country has detected cases of two new variants - NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 - according to fresh data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog), a central government is no reason to be afraid of Corona. All patients who have come in now show symptoms of a normal cold-cough. So there is nothing to panic, and this visible variant is slowly developing like a viral. No one needs to be afraid of this," news agency ANI quoted Jain as saying. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that there was no need to panic about the surge and that the hospitals are fully prepared for any emergency."We have details of the Covid-19 cases. Our hospitals have all the facilities. We have also issued an advisory," the Chief Minister told of the 1,000 active cases of Novel Coronavirus in India, Kerala reported 335 fresh infections, taking its total active cases to 430, while Maharashtra and Delhi saw 153 and 99 new cases respectively. Active Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra and Delhi now stand at 209 and 104, respectively, as per government of now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies both LF.7 and NB.1.8 as Variants Under Monitoring, and not under Variants of Concern or Variants of InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Delhi#Kerala#Maharashtra
India Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
India reports over 1,000 active Covid cases; spikes in Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi
India reported as many as 752 new Covid-19 cases in the last one week, with the spike in infections taking the country's overall caseload to over 1,000. Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi were the states that saw the most number of new infections in the last one reported 335 fresh infections, taking its total active cases to 430 while Maharashtra and Delhi saw 153 and 99 new cases respectively. Active Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra and Delhi now stand at 209 and 104, respectively, as per data released by the government on Monday (May 26) cities are followed by Gujarat, which has recorded 83 cases; Karnataka with 47 cases, Uttar Pradesh with 15 cases, and West Bengal with 12 cases. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that there is no need to panic about the surge and that the hospitals are fully prepared."We have details of the COVID-19 cases. Our hospitals have all the facilities. We have also issued an advisory," the CM told reporters, news agency PTI an apparent rise in new Covid19 infections across several cities, the country has detected cases of two new variants -- NB.1.8.1 and LF.7--according to fresh data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog), a central government of now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies both LF.7 and NB.1.8 as Variants Under Monitoring, and not under Variants of Concern or Variants of Union Health Secretary, on Saturday, reviewed the national situation. "Cases have mainly been reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Most cases are mild and under home care," the ministry InMust Watch
India Today
25-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Covid cases rise across India as 2 new variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, detected
Covid-19 cases have been rising across the country over the past few weeks. Concerns have increased after two new variants were detected, according to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog), a central government variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, were found in India recently. One case of NB.1.8.1 was reported in Tamil Nadu in April, while four cases of LF.7 were detected in World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified both LF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants as Variants Under Monitoring (VUMs), not as Variants of Concern (VOCs) or Variants of Interest (VOIs). However, these variants are reportedly behind the surge in Covid-19 cases in China and other parts of Asia. In India, Kerala has reported the highest number of cases, with 273 active infections in May. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have also reported a rise in Karnataka, five new Covid-19 cases were reported on Saturday, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 38. Bengaluru accounts for 32 of these also reported a Covid-related death. An 84-year-old patient with co-morbidities died at Aster Hospital in Whitefield after testing positive on May 17.A nine-month-old baby boy in Bengaluru also tested positive on Thursday. He was first admitted to a private hospital and later shifted to Vani Vilas Hospital in response to the rising cases, the Karnataka government has issued an advisory. It urges pregnant women, children, and people with co-morbidities to wear face masks in crowded places and use hand reported 23 new Covid-19 cases as of Thursday. The government has asked people not to panic and said it is fully prepared to handle the situation.'We are in constant touch with medical superintendents of all hospitals in Delhi. The Delhi government is fully prepared. There is no need to panic as the latest variant appears similar to common influenza,' said Delhi Health Minister Pankaj recorded 47 new cases on Saturday and 45 more on Sunday, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 209. The state also reported its fourth Covid-19 death, a 21-year-old with diabetic ketoacidosis who died in a Thane to central government sources cited by PTI, most Covid-19 cases reported across states are mild and patients are recovering at Union Health Secretary reviewed the Covid-19 situation on Saturday with officials from the Department of Health Research (DHR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).Officials also said that India has a strong surveillance system in place for tracking respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19. This includes the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR's respiratory virus sentinel surveillance InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Covid-19
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
India Detects Two More New Covid Variants Under WHO Monitoring Amid Rising Cases
India has identified two new Covid-19 variants, LF.7 and NB.1.8.1, as reported by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog) on May 25, 2025. These variants, detected amid a slight uptick in cases across several cities, are currently classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Variants Under Monitoring, not Variants of Concern or Interest. One case of NB.1.8.1 was found in Tamil Nadu in April, while four LF.7 cases were reported in Gujarat in May. The dominant variant in India remains JN.1, constituting 53% of tested samples, followed by BA.2 (26%) and other Omicron sublineages (20%). Although WHO considers NB.1.8.1 a low global health risk, its spike protein mutations (A435S, V445H, T478I) may enhance transmissibility and immune evasion. The variants are reportedly driving case surges in China and parts of Asia. As of May 19, India recorded 257 active Covid cases, with Kerala reporting 273 cases in May alone, followed by Delhi (23 new cases), Andhra Pradesh (4), Telangana (1), and Bengaluru, where a nine-month-old tested positive. Most cases are mild and managed at home. Maharashtra has seen 257 positive cases from 7,144 tests this year, with 93 new cases in the last two days, primarily in Mumbai (47), Pune (30), Navi Mumbai (7), Thane (3), and Nagpur (6). The state currently has 166 active cases. Recent Covid-related deaths include an 84-year-old with comorbidities in Bengaluru and a 21-year-old with diabetic ketoacidosis in Thane, Maharashtra. Maharashtra reported four deaths this year, all involving patients with severe coexisting conditions like cancer and nephrotic syndrome. A review meeting, led by the Director General of Health Services and involving experts from the National Centre for Disease Control and ICMR, assessed the situation. The Union Health Secretary also reviewed the national scenario on May 24, noting that cases are concentrated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Health authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation closely.
