Covid resurgence: What is XBB 1.16, the new variant behind surge

Hyderabad: XBB 1.16, a new sub-lineage of the XBB variant of SARS-CoV-2 is pushing the Covid cases in India, particularly in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

INSAGOG has recorded 80 cases of this in these states.

A surge in cases of Covid 19

Union health ministry has recorded an increase of 1000 new cases of Covid 19 from March 17th to March 19th. This surge has caused concern as it is spreading fast.

Senior cardiologist Dr. Mukherjee Madivada says, “It is highly transmissible and that is the concern for now. It is too early to know the severity of the disease.”

It is important to ‘Mask-Up’ in public and crowded areas. The best way to control the transmission is to follow the protocols of safety in terms of masks, hand hygiene, and cough etiquette.

Dr. Madivada says, “Apart from public gatherings there are also closed indoor gatherings which are a concern. People must ensure that there is proper ventilation when there are small groups meeting as that too leads to easy transmission.”

XBB1.16 is also in the world

Apart from India XBB1.16 has also been found in the United States. There are 20 cases in the US and 14 in Singapore, according to the Heart Care Foundation of India. World Medical Association of which India’s HCFI is a member is closely coordinating with the medical associations in the South East Asia region to track the transmission of the new variant.

The data collated by them helps to alert all their members which in turn helps in advising governments on the precautionary measures.

It is suspected that XBB 1.16 is also in China but the data is not available making it difficult to pinpoint the exact numbers.