Omicron XXB.1.5: International researchers have identified the sub-variant XBB.1.5 as the cause of an increase in Covid cases and hospitalisations in New York. India has reported its first case of Omicron variant ‘XXB.1.5’ which is responsible for the surge in coronavirus cases in New York. The first case of XXB.1.5 has been confirmed in Gujarat, as per reports in Timesnow and mint. Omicron XXB 1.5 variant: Omicron’s new variant detection in India.
XBB.1.5 now represents about 41% of new cases nationwide in the U.S., nearly doubling in prevalence over the past week, according to the data published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.With the detection of the first XBB.1.5 case closer home, Maharashtra state public health authorities are now focused on not allowing the sub-variant to enter the state due to its proximity to Gujarat, TOI reported. Omicron XXB 1.5 variant: Omicron’s new variant detection in India.
Dr Pradeep Awate, Maharashtra surveillance officer, told TOI, “We are keeping a watch on the genetic footprints of the virus. The state is carrying out 100% genomic sequencing, while international arrivals are also undergoing thermal screening and random sampling of 2% of these is also being done. Positive samples are then being sent for genome sequencing.”
According to Epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding, the new variant is more immune evasive and better at infecting than BQ and XBB. He said multiple models shows that XXB15 variant is much worse in transmission R value and infection rate than previous variants.
Scientists at Columbia University have warned that the rise of subvariants such as the XBB family could “result in a surge of breakthrough infections as well as re-infections.”India logs 226 fresh Covid infections; active cases rise to 3,653
India reported 226 new coronavirus infections, raising the tally to 4.46 crore, while the active cases increased to 3,653, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.
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