Covid Big Update: Coronavirus returns in India? New Variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 detected in…, Bengaluru, Kerala, Pune register spike in…

New Delhi: In a concerning development, the cases of coronavirus are witnessing a spike in India, prompting authorities to take required measures to contain the spread of the virus. According to the reports, two new variants of COVID-19, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, have emerged. These new variants have been detected in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. COVID-19 cases are also rising in Delhi, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

According to the latest data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a case of NB.1.8.1 was found in Tamil Nadu in April. Meanwhile, four cases of LF.7 were recorded in Gujarat in May.

Variants under WHO surveillance

The World Health Organization (WHO) has placed the NB.1.8 and LF.7 variants under the “Variants Under Monitoring” category. It is important to note that the variants are not classified as “Variants of Concern” or “Variants of Interest”. These variants are believed to be contributing to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in China and parts of Asia.

According to INSACOG, the most prevalent variant in India at the moment is JN.1, which accounts for 53% of all tested samples. This is followed by BA.2 (26%) and other Omicron subvariants (20%).

What do experts say?

Mutations such as A435S, V445H, and T478I found in the spike protein of NB.1.8.1 suggest that this variant may spread more rapidly and evade the immune system more effectively. However, according to the WHO’s preliminary risk assessment report, this variant currently poses a low public health risk at the global level.

Here are some of the key details:

  • Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday urged all districts in the southern state to increase Covid-19 surveillance, following an increase in cases across Southeast Asia.
  • As many as 10 cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Maharashtra’s Thane city over the last three days, with the civic administration urging hospitals to stay vigilant, officials said on Saturday.
  • AIIMS Rishikesh reported three Covid cases, adding to the recent surge in cases across the country.
  • A Covid patient died while eight new cases of the viral infection were reported in Thane on Saturday, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) said, as per PTI.
  • Haryana health minister Arti Singh Rao on Saturday assured the public that the state government has taken all necessary steps to manage the recent rise in Covid-19 cases, urging people not to panic.
  • Delhi on Friday reported 23 Covid-19 cases, prompting the government to issue an advisory asking all hospitals to prepare for the availability of beds, oxygen, medicines and vaccines.

Government’s Attention, Experts’ Meeting

Recently, a high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), where experts from ICMR, NCDC, and other health institutions reviewed the current situation. At present, there is no indication of a major threat, but caution has been advised.

News