Telangana records 93 cases of XBB1.16 variant of SARS Cov 2

Hyderabad: Telangana has recorded 93 cases of the new variant XBB1.16 of SARS Cov 2 causing Covid 19. Telangana is the second highest in the list of nine states with cases of the new variant. The highest cases were recorded in Maharashtra at 104 until March 20, 2023.

Nine states with XBB1.16

The data collated in INSAGOG by the Central Government shows the highest cases of the new variant in Maharashtra with 104 cases, Karnataka with 57, Gujarat with 54, Delhi with 19, Puducherry with 7, Haryana with 6, Himachal Pradesh with 3 and Odisha with 1 case so far.

The total number of XBB1.16 cases in India has hit 344. The samples collected so far from aggressive widespread testing have shown the presence of the variant.

Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman national IMA Covid Task Force and former President of the Indian Medical Association said, “So far these samples make up for 1/3 of the sequenced cases. We have to closely monitor the situation to see how it evolves.”

Transmission rate is high

XBB1.16 is a new sub-lineage of the XBB variant of Omicron of SARS Cov 2. There are 100 sub-lineages of Omicron. XBB1.16 is identified as having a high transmission rate as it is spreading quickly.

Is it going to be severe?

Experts state that the severity is yet to be determined as it is currently spreading fast among the vulnerable and exposed parts of the population. So far, there are no alarms.

Important points regarding XBB1.16

1. There are no clusters of XBB1.16 reported so far

2. The infected so far were not found to be in a severe state.

3. Persons who have tested positive for Covid 19 are under supervision and genome sequencing is being carried out.

4. Genome sequencing is important to check for new variants.

Experts warn that crowded places in public and private areas can lead to faster spread of the variant. They ask people to wear masks, follow protocols of hand hygiene and stay at home if suffering from a cold, cough or fever.