Covid alert in India as first case of Omicron XBB 1.5 variant reported in Gujarat

India Covid update: India has reported first case of Omicron XBB 1.5 variant in Gujarat in the month of December, says Insacog. As per experts, XBB.1.5 variant of Omicron is highly immune invasive and effective at binding to cells than related subvariants.

Covid Omicron XBB.1.5 is fast spreading in the US and is behind the surge there. Notably, XBB variant has been leading to a surge in cases in parts of Asia, including Singapore. With the detection of new variant in Gujarat, others states are on alert now.

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As per data from US, more than 40 per cent of Covid cases in the United States are caused by XBB.1.5 variant. It is recombinant strain and is more infectious than BQ.1 and XBB.  Its R-Value is also much worse than other variants of Covid. 

Omicron subvariants XBB and XBB.1 were first identified in India. Some scientists, including Scripps Research Institute professor of molecular medicine Eric Topol, have put forward the possibility that XBB.1.5 could have mutated in New York.

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In November, China saw a record increase in local COVID-19 outbreaks. Due to the deterioration of the epidemiological situation, the authorities introduced partial lockdowns in some areas while also forcing their residents to undergo PCR testing on a daily basis.

In particular, starting from November 24, restrictive measures were tightened in a number of China's major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. 

(With inputs from ANI)