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India Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
New Covid-19 variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 detected in India: Should you be worried?
India has reported fresh cases of Covid-19 as new sub-variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, both part of the evolving Omicron lineage, are being detected in different parts of the to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), one case of NB.1.8.1 was found in Tamil Nadu in April, while four cases of LF.7 were reported in Gujarat in latest to join the list is a 55-year-old woman from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, who tested positive for Covid-19, marking the district's first confirmed case in the current surge. The woman, who had recently travelled by train, is in home isolation and her close contacts have tested negative, according to the Gautam Buddha Nagar Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narendra AIIMS Rishikesh also reported three Covid-19 cases, one of whom has been discharged, while the others remain under to Dr Meenu Singh, Director of AIIMS Rishikesh, the current variant "is not very harmful," but caution is still advised, especially for people with are NB.1.8.1 and LF.7? Are they more transmissible?Both NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are sub-lineages of the JN.1 variant, which remains the most dominant strain in India, accounting for 53% of all sequenced sub-variants are being monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as 'Variants Under Monitoring,' meaning they have mutations that could influence virus behaviour, but they are not yet classified as 'Variants of Concern' or 'Variants of Interest.'Studies in initial stages and expert assessments suggest that these sub-variants are more transmissible and have a greater ability to evade immune defences compared to earlier strains. A medic at a ward prepared for Covid-19 patients at Gandhi Hospital in the wake of several states reporting Covid cases in Hyderabad. (Photo: PTI) For instance, NB.1.8.1 carries notable spike protein mutations called A435S, V445H, and T478I, that could enhance both its infectiousness and immune evasion JN.1 lineage itself carries the L455S mutation, which is estimated to make it 1.5 times more infectious than previous these traits, the severity of illness caused by these subvariants appears to be low."Most cases remain mild with low hospitalisation rates,' said Dr. Arup Halder, Consultant Pulmonologist at CMRI Hospital, added that the rise in cases is largely due to waning immunity, uneven booster coverage, and increased detection due to improved you be worried?As of May 19, India had 257 active Covid-19 cases. States like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu emerged to be hotspots, with cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Thane reporting the most cases. Kerala alone logged 273 cases in has also issued advisories to hospitals to ensure the availability of beds, oxygen, medicines, and vaccines in view of the rising numbers. As of May 19, India had 257 active Covid-19 cases. () Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, told ANI, 'At the moment, the situation is under control. There is no need to panic.'Although new variant-specific vaccines are not yet available in India, existing boosters can still offer strong protection. According to Dr. Halder, these boosters can reduce the risk of symptomatic infection by 50% and severe disease by up to 80%.India has administered more than 2.2 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines so far, according to the expert, but booster uptake remains inconsistent, especially among vulnerable hesitancy, driven by misinformation and logistical challenges, is a lingering issue," Dr. Halder recommend that high-risk individuals, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, get their booster doses promptly."It's crucial that high-risk individuals get boosted immediately, continue masking in crowded places, and follow basic hygiene practices," Dr Halder InMust Watch
India Gazette
24-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
"No need to panic": Haryana Health Minister on COVID cases in state
Jhajjar (Haryana) [India] May 24 (ANI): Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao on Saturday assured that the government has made all the arrangements in view of the recent COVID cases in the state and said that there is no need to panic. 'Some cases of COVID have been is no need to government has made all the arrangements.' According to a statement on May 23, Haryana currently has four active COVID-19 cases -- two in Gurugram and two in Faridabad, with no international travel history. All four cases (two male and two female patients) are mild in nature and are currently under home quarantine. There has been no requirement for hospitalisation, and all patients are under regular medical supervision. Notably, all four individuals were previously vaccinated against COVID-19, which has helped keep symptoms minimal. A person from Gurugram district who was earlier detected with the virus has already recovered. Meanwhile, AIIMS Rishikesh has reported three COVID cases, adding to the recent surge in cases across the country. Speaking with ANI, Rishikesh AIIMS Director Meenu Singh informed that one of the three patients has already been discharged. 'Three COVID patients have been reported in the AIIMS... One has been discharged... Another patient is one of our residents. She has been kept in isolation. Another patient is from Gujarat who came here for the Badrinath Yatra,' Dr Meenu Singh said. Dr Singh also mentioned that this variant of COVID is not very harmful, but people should be cautious. 'The state has kept us on alert. We have implemented COVID-appropriate behaviour in our institute... This variant is not very harmful, but if someone has any comorbidities,...then they should get themselves checked,' she said. As of May 19, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257 -- a very low figure considering the country's large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required. The country also has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the ICMR. (ANI)
India Gazette
24-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
First COVID patient reported in NCR: Woman tests positive in Noida
Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 24 (ANI): A 55-year-old woman from the National Capital Region has been tested positive for COVID-19, marking the first case in Uttar Pradesh's Noida amid the recent surge in cases in India, as per the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Gautam Buddha Nagar. According to the CMO, Narendra Kumar, the woman from Sector 110 in Noida has been placed under home isolation, with her husband and maid, who are part of the household, testing negative for the virus. He further added that the woman had travelled by train a few days back. Earlier, AIIMS Rishikesh had reported three COVID cases, adding to the recent surge in cases across the country. Speaking with ANI, Rishikesh AIIMS Director Meenu Singh informed that one of the three patients has already been discharged. 'Three COVID patients have been reported in the AIIMS... One has been discharged... Another patient is one of our residents. She has been kept in isolation. Another patient is from Gujarat who came here for the Badrinath Yatra,' Dr Meenu Singh said. Dr Singh also mentioned that this variant of COVID is not very harmful, but people should be cautious. 'The state has kept us on alert. We have implemented COVID-appropriate behaviour in our institute... This variant is not very harmful, but if someone has any comorbidities... then they should get themselves checked,' she said. Meanwhile, in view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country, the Delhi government has issued an advisory directing all hospitals to ensure preparedness for the availability of beds, oxygen, medicines, and vaccines. However, according to the experts, the situation is under control. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said on Friday, 'At the moment, the situation is under control. There are, at most, sporadic cases, which are also rare. Even the present cases are being managed very easily.' 'They are not being hospitalised. This is what we were expecting: that when COVID happened, it would remain a seasonal flu which could be treated very easily. The situation is not one of panic...' he further said. 'We haven't seen any hospitalised or ICU Covid-19 cases in the hospital. Only hype has been created, but there is no need to panic,' he said. As of May 19, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257 - a very low figure considering the country's large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required. The government also has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the ICMR. (ANI)
Mint
24-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
COVID-19 case in NCR: 55-year-old woman tests positive in Noida after train travel
COVID 19 cases: Nearly five years after the COVID-19 pandemic left the world scarred, cases are being reported again. On Saturday, a 55-year-old woman from the National Capital Region (NCR) tested positive for COVID-19, marking the first case in Uttar Pradesh's Noida amid the recent surge in cases in India. The woman, a resident of Noida's Sector 110 had travelled by train a few days back, Gautam Buddha Nagar's Chief Medical Officer told PTI. She has now been placed under home isolation, with her husband and maid, who are a part of her household. Amid a nationwide uptick in COVID-19 cases, AIIMS Rishikesh has confirmed three infections. One patient has been discharged, while another—an in-house resident—remains in isolation. The third is a visitor from Gujarat, who was reportedly in the area for the Badrinath Yatra, AIIMS Director Dr. Meenu Singh told PTI. Meanwhile the Delhi government has issued an advisory instructing hospitals to ensure readiness with adequate beds, oxygen, medicines, and vaccines. In May, Kerala reported 273 Covid-19 cases. The highest number was in Kottayam with 82 cases, followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 73, Ernakulam with 49, Pathanamthitta with 30, and Thrissur with 26. In Asian countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, the recent surge in COVID-19 cases has been driven by the LF.7 and NB.1.8 variants, both of which emerge from the broader JN.1 variant of the coronavirus. In India, however, there is has been no official confirmation on the spread of JN.1 yet. The symptoms of the JN.1 COVID variant are similar to those of earlier strains, including dry cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell. However, some reports, including from Johns Hopkins, suggest JN.1 may more frequently cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. Fatigue and nasal congestion are also commonly reported. As of May 19, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257 - a very low figure considering the country's large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required, as per ANI.
India Gazette
24-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: Three COVID cases reported in AIIMS Rishikesh
Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) [India], May 24 (ANI): AIIMS Rishikesh has reported three COVID cases, adding to the recent surge in cases across the country. Speaking with ANI, Rishikesh AIIMS Director Meenu Singh informed that one of the three patients has already been discharged. 'Three COVID patients have been reported in the AIIMS... One has been discharged... Another patient is one of our residents. She has been kept in isolation. Another patient is from Gujarat who came here for the Badrinath Yatra,' Dr Meenu Singh said. Dr Singh also mentioned that this variant of COVID is not very harmful, but people should be cautious. 'The state has kept us on alert. We have implemented COVID-appropriate behaviour in our institute... This variant is not very harmful, but if someone has any comorbidities,...then they should get themselves checked,' she said. Meanwhile, in view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country, the Delhi government has issued an advisory directing all hospitals to ensure preparedness for the availability of beds, oxygen, medicines, and vaccines. However, according to the experts, the situation is under control. Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said on Friday, 'At the moment, the situation is under control. There are, at most, sporadic cases, which are also rare. Even the present cases are being managed very easily.' 'They are not being hospitalised. This is what we were expecting: that when COVID happened, it would remain a seasonal flu which could be treated very easily. The situation is not one of panic...' he further said 'We haven't seen any hospitalised or ICU Covid-19 cases in the hospital. Only hype has been created, but there is no need to panic,' he said. As of May 19, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257 -- a very low figure considering the country's large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required. The country also has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the ICMR. (ANI)
