Spread of new Covid sub-variant XBB.1.16 amid rise in cases

Covid-19 is evolving into a novel sub-variant. In the past three weeks, the case count has increased in four out of the five states that have identified XBB.1.16.

Officials from the health ministry stated that there is no evidence to support a rise in mortality, hospitalizations, or disease severity.

Because of its higher transmissibility and potential to displace other dominant variants, XBB.1.16 is regarded as a variant of interest.

The variant was discovered in 204 patient samples in March, up from 138 in February and just two in January, according to data from India's Covid-19 genome sequencing collaboration, INSACOG, Indian Express reported.

The majority (105) of the 344 XBB.1.16 sequences that have been identified so far have been found in Maharashtra. Cases of the new variant have also been found in Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Sangli, Ahmednagar, Amravati, and Nandurbar.

93 sequences from Telangana, 57 sequences from Karnataka, 54 sequences from Gujarat, and 19 sequences from Delhi came after this. After XBB.1.16, two additional sub-variants, XBB.1.5 and XBB.2.3, are those with the greatest presence in patient samples, according to INSACOG data.

“As a pandemic infection usually approaches endemicity, there are more and more variants. Has Covid-19 become endemic? We aren’t saying that but yes it is on its way there,” said a senior official from the Health Ministry, who requested anonymity.

Eight states — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi — are currently reporting a rise in Covid-19 cases.

A total of 1,650 Covid-19 cases were reported in Maharashtra during the week ending March 23, up from 377 cases during the week ending March 9 to 790 cases during the week ending March 16. During the same period, the positivity rate—or the percentage of analyzed samples that are positive—rose from 1.05 to 4.49 per cent.

This rate of positivity is significantly greater than the 1% national average that was observed during the same week.

Gujarat experienced a sharper rise in cases, with 115 cases during the week concluding March 9, 346 cases during the following week, and 1,093 cases during the week ending on March 23.

During the same time span, the state's positivity rate rose from 0.32 to 2 per cent.

Kerala experienced a rise in Covid-19 cases from 445 during the week ending March 9 to 601 during the week ending March 16 and 979 during the week ending March 23. In the state, the positivity rate rose from 2.02% to 4.172%.

In Karnataka, the number of cases rose from 539 during the week ending March 9 to 603 during the following week, and then to 692 during the week ending on March 23. The state's positivity percentage increased from 2.33 to 3.08 per cent.

Tamil Nadu saw an increase in cases from 186 the week concluding March 9 to 270 the following week, and then 480 the week following March 23. During this time, the state's positivity percentage increased from 0.89 to 2.26 per cent.

From 76 cases during the week ending March 9 to 159 cases during the week ending March 16 to 411 cases during the week ending March 23, Delhi saw an increase in the number of cases. The percentage of positive responses rose from 0.77% to 3.76%.

The number of cases in Himachal Pradesh rose from 44 in the week ending March 9 to 128 in the following week and 238 in the following week. The state's positivity percentage increased dramatically, rising from 2.48% to 7.10%. “If the positivity rate is high, it means there are more people with the infection who are not getting tested. The states with high positivity rates have been asked to increase testing,” said a senior officer from the union health ministry.

The number of instances in Rajasthan increased from 24 in the week ending March 9 to 55 in the following week and 157 in the following week. During this period, the state's positivity rate rose from 0.31% to 1.43%.

The states reporting an increase in cases were urged to keep a watch out for severe acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illnesses. They must submit all positive RT-PCR samples for genomic sequencing, keep track of positive patients, provide any necessary care, and encourage others to behave in accordance with Coid-19 guidelines. Additionally, the states are expected to concentrate on precaution doses. Data from the health ministry show that over 90% of people have gotten both of their primary vaccination doses, but coverage of the third precaution dose has remained at 27%.

A mock drill to assess hospitals' readiness to handle Covid-19 cases is expected to take place across the nation, according to a Health Ministry official.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister convened a high-level review conference to discuss the Covid-19 and influenza situation in the nation. He instructed officials to improve Covid-19 whole genome sequencing during the meeting in order to watch newer variants and conduct efficient surveillance of influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections. He also exhorted people to practice proper respiratory cleanliness and Covid-19 behaviour. He was told that the availability and prices of 12 additional drugs, 8 buffer drugs, 20 main Covid Drugs, and 1 influenza drug are being watched.