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News18
12-07-2025
- Health
- News18
New Covid Variant XFG Explained: Symptoms, Spread & Safety Tips You Need To Know
Last Updated: Symptoms mirror Omicron's, that is, fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, and muscle aches. Though India's Covid response offers a foundation, but XFG demands targeted strategies As India navigates a post-Covid world, a new Omicron subvariant, XFG ('Stratus"), is raising concerns with its rapid spread and immune-evasive traits. First detected in Canada, XFG has reached 38 countries, including India, where it accounts for a growing share of cases. With India's active Covid-19 cases at 7,000 as of June 2025, per the Union Health Ministry, let's examine XFG's characteristics, India-specific data, and how the nation can prepare for this and future pandemics, drawing lessons from long Covid. What Is The XFG Variant? XFG, a recombinant subvariant of Omicron, emerges from the fusion of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 strains, formed when two variants infect a person simultaneously, mixing genetic material. A Lancet study highlights four key spike protein mutations—His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile—enabling 'strong immune evasion," allowing XFG to bypass antibodies from prior infections or vaccines. Globally, XFG accounts for 22.7% of sequenced cases as of June 2025, up from 7.4% a month earlier, per GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data), and may soon dominate over NB.1.8.1 ('Nimbus"), per The Conversation. In India, it's the dominant strain in Madhya Pradesh, with 63.6% of sequenced samples, per AIIMS Bhopal. Symptoms mirror Omicron's, that is, fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, and muscle aches. However, XFG uniquely causes hoarseness—a scratchy or raspy voice—reported by doctors as a key marker, per Everyday Health. Unlike JN.1, which caused low-grade fever and digestive issues, XFG's symptoms are mild to moderate, with no evidence of increased severity or hospitalisation rates, per WHO. Current vaccines, targeting JN.1, remain effective against severe disease, and antivirals like Paxlovid and remdesivir work, per Time. How Many XFG Cases Have India Reported? India has reported 206 XFG cases as of June 11, per INSACOG, with Maharashtra leading at 89 cases, followed by West Bengal (49), Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh (6 each), Odisha (4), Puducherry (3), Delhi, Rajasthan, and Punjab (2 each), and Telangana and Haryana (1 each), per The Hindu. Of these, 159 cases were detected in May, with two each in April and June, indicating a rapid rise. India's active Covid-19 cases reached 7,000 by June 11, with Kerala reporting the highest active cases (2,200), followed by Gujarat (1,223) and Delhi (757). A 2024 ICMR survey notes 66% of respiratory viral infections in India are Covid-related, but hospitalisations remain low, News18 reported. AIIMS Bhopal's genomic analysis of 44 samples from May-June found XFG dominant in 28 (63.6%), with no NB.1.8.1 detected in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting regional variation. Dr Rajiv Behl, ICMR Director General, stresses XFG's low severity but urges vigilance for vulnerable groups—those over 70 or with comorbidities. Why XFG Matters To India India's 1.4 billion population and $3 trillion economy face significant risks from new variants. Long Covid, affecting 7% of India's 44 million Covid cases (3 million people), costs 1% of GDP annually, per a 2024 NITI Aayog estimate, with 40% reporting fatigue and 25% brain fog. XFG's immune evasion could exacerbate this. Rural areas, with only 10% of health centres offering post-Covid care, face worse outcomes, per The Indian Express. A 2024 Times of India poll shows only 25% of Indians know about long Covid, limiting XFG awareness. Vaccine hesitancy, at 30% in rural India, and low Omicron-specific booster uptake (18%) weaken defences, per ICMR 2024. With 74 Covid deaths in 2025, mostly among the elderly and immunocompromised, XFG's spread threatens vulnerable groups. How India Should Prepare India's Covid response—2.2 billion vaccine doses by 2025—offers a foundation, but XFG demands targeted strategies: Enhanced Genomic Surveillance: INSACOG's 54 labs must expand sequencing, as only 0.1% of cases are sequenced, per The Hindu. AIIMS Bhopal's model, detecting XFG in 63.6% of samples, shows the value of regional labs. Scaling Truenat and RT-PCR testing to 80% of health centers, especially rural ones, could detect variants early, per Dr Balram Bhargava, a renowned cardiologist and public health leader. Vaccination & Boosters: Only 18% of Indians have Omicron-specific boosters. A 2025 campaign targeting 50% booster coverage, especially for those over 70, could cut severe cases by 30%, per WHO. Mobile vaccination units, successful in 2021, should reach rural areas. Hospital Preparedness: Only 50% of health centres have ventilators, and 30% lack oxygen, per a 2024 MoHFW report. The Centre's 2025 mock drills must ensure 75% of 1.5 lakh centers have isolation beds and antivirals, costing Rs 5,000 crore. Telemedicine, used by 15% of urban Indians, can expand to rural areas. Masking and Ventilation: XFG's spread in crowded spaces, like Mumbai's trains, requires masks and improved ventilation. A 2023 Singapore study cut transmission by 20% with air purifiers. India's public buildings need similar upgrades. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : covid symptoms Long COVID omicron view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. 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NDTV
12-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
What Is Driving A Surge In Covid Cases In India? Active Cases Rise To 7,121
India has seen an uptick in Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks. As of Thursday morning, 7,121 active Covid-19 cases have been reported in the country. Amid the ongoing resurgence, 6 Covid-related deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours. Kerala remains the most affected state with 2,223 active cases, followed by Gujarat (1,223), Delhi (757), West Bengal (747), and Maharashtra (615). Covid-19 in India: Variants in circulation Earlier, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Rajiv Behl said that Omicron Sub-variants LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB. 1.8.1 are currently circulating in India. As of June 9, 163 cases of the new Covid variant XFG were detected across India, as per Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) data. While Maharashtra reported the highest number of XFG cases with 89 infections, a few cases were reported in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. About XFG variant XFG recombinant sub-variant which belongs to the Omicron family. It originated from two variants- LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. According to The Lancet journal, the XFG variant survives and spreads easily as it can evade the body's natural defences easily. However, it does not cause severe illness. It was first detected in Canada. The NB.1.8.1 variant The main coronavirus variant causing a resurgence in covid cases is the NB.1.8.1 variant. It is spreading widely across Asian countries. A few cases have been detected in the US and UK. It is now the dominant variant in China and Hong Kong. NB.1.8.1 variant is also a descendant of the Omicron sub-variant. It was first detected in the US between late March and early April among international travellers. It does not cause severe illness however, it is highly transmissible. Symptoms The symptoms of both XFG and NB.1.8.1 variants are quite similar to those of other omicron variants. Infected individuals have reported mild to moderate upper respiratory symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, headache, loss of appetite, body aches, fatigue, and runny nose. LF.7 and JN.1 are also responsible for some of the cases in India. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
NDTV
10-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
India Reports 163 Cases Of XFG, New Covid-19 Variant: What Are The Symptoms?
Amid the Covid-19 resurgence, India has reported 6815 active Covid-19 cases as of Tuesday morning. A total of 324 fresh infections and 3 deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours. Kerala remains the most affected state with 2053 active cases, followed by Gujarat (1109), West Bengal (747), Delhi (691), and Maharashtra (613). According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) data, 163 cases of the new Covid variant XFG have recently been detected across India. XFG cases were reported in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of XFG cases with 89 infections. XFG Covid variant: What we know so far XFG variant is a descendant of the Omicron sub-variant. According to The Lancet journal, it was first detected in Canada. XFG is a recombinant sub-variant, which means it originated from two variants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, in this case. The Lancet study has mentioned that it can spread rapidly and it has "strong immune evasion". This allows the virus to survive and spread easily as it can evade the body's natural defences easily. What are recombinant variants? Recombinant variants are hybrid variants which emerge when a person is infected with two different Covid variants simultaneously. This leads to a mixing of genetic material, resulting in a new variant with characteristics from both strains. The XFG variant harbours four key spike mutations - His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile. Is it dangerous? Till now, there is no evidence that XFG can cause severe illness. Like most Omicron sub-variants, it appears to be associated with mild upper respiratory symptoms. Earlier, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Rajiv Behl said that Omicron Sub-variants LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB. 1.8.1 are currently circulating in India. He also mentioned that the severity of infections is currently generally mild and there is no cause for worry. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
NDTV
07-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
India's Covid-19 Cases Near 6,000 Mark, Kerala Remains Worst-Hit
New Delhi: India's active coronavirus cases have climbed to 5,755, with Kerala fighting the latest resurgence of infections - followed by Gujarat and Delhi. According to the data available on the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 391 new cases were added to the active case count since Friday. Kerala has recorded 1,806 cases, Gujarat 717, Delhi 665, and West Bengal 622. Maharashtra has recorded a total of 577 cases so far, while Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh have reported 444 and 208 cases, respectively. Tamil Nadu has reported 194 cases, Puducherry 13, Haryana 87, Andhra Pradesh 72, Madhya Pradesh 32, and Goa nine. Official data shows a total of 59 deaths in the past few weeks due to the deadly virus so far, which began in 2020. In the last 24 hours, 4 people died - two of whom (a 45-year-old woman from Madhya Pradesh, and a 79-year-old man from Tamil Nadu) were diagnosed with Covid-19. However, it is not yet clear whether others died due to the infection. While states are on alert, officials have said that the coronavirus cases are mild in nature and there is no need to panic. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said the genome sequencing of samples in the west and south has shown that the new variants are sub-variants of Omicron, a strain that was behind the big Covid wave in India in 2022. These are LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB.1.8.1, ICMR chief Dr Rajiv Behl said. However, he added that the severity of infections as of now is generally mild, and there is no cause for worry. "Whenever cases increase, we look at three things. It's dependent on three factors, with the first being how transmissible it is, conversely, how fast the cases are increasing. Previously, we saw Covid-19 cases double in two days, but this time it is not that cases are increasing rapidly," Dr Behl said.
NDTV
05-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Covid-19 In India: Do's And Don'ts To Stay Safe
India recorded 564 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The total number of active Covid-19 cases stands at 4,866 as of Thursday morning, with Kerala remaining the most affected State, followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi, according to the Union Health Ministry data. At least 7 deaths were reported during the current resurgence of Covid-19 infection. No need to panic, said experts Doctors and health officials in India and across the world have said that the new Covid variants are not serious threats but are spreading faster. Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Rajiv Behl also said that the severity of infections is currently generally mild and there is no cause for worry. He also mentioned that Omicron Sub-variants LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB. 1.8.1 are currently circulating and are not severe. Why should you do? As cases are rising rapidly in India, it is important for all to follow safety precautions that can help you stay safe. Here are some government guidelines you should follow: Do's Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol. Wear a mask Cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief/tissue while sneezing and coughing. Throw used tissues into closed bins immediately after use. Avoid mass gatherings and crowded places. Wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose and mouth. See a doctor if you feel unwell. Do not ignore symptoms like fever, difficulty breathing and cough. While visiting doctor wear a mask/cloth to cover your mouth and nose. Don'ts Avoid touching surfaces that might be contaminated. Do not ignore symptoms and delay testing. Do not come in close contact with anyone who is sick. Avoid shaking hands Don't allow visitors at home or visit someone else's home. As of May 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies LF.7 and NB.1.8 sub-variants as Variants Under Monitoring, not as Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest. But these are spreading rapidly and a rise in hospitalisation has been observed in China and other parts of Asia. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
