93 Samples Of New Variant XBB1.16 Found In Telangana Out Of a Total 349 In The Country

Delhi/Hyderabad, March 24 (Maxim News):  93 samples of infectious new variant XBB1.16 were found in Telangana state out of the total 349 in the country.  

The highest number of cases due to this variant has been found in the bordering state Telangana at Maharashtra at 105, followed by Telangana at 93, Karnataka at 61, and Gujarat at 54, according to INSACOG data accessed.  

XBB 1.16 was first found in January when two samples tested positive for the variant.  In February 140 samples of the XBB 1.16 variant were found.  In March 207 XBB.1.16 variant samples have been found till now, according to INSACOG data. 

India has been witnessing an uptick in Covid-19 cases in the country recently.  On Thursday, India logged 1,300 new coronavirus cases, the highest in 140 days, while the active cases have increased to 7,605.  The death toll has increased to 5,30,816 with three deaths.  One death each has been reported in Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, the data updated at 8 am stated. 

former AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Guleria said recently that the new XBB.1.16 variant could be driving the recent rise.  However, he emphasized there was no need for panic as long it does not cause severe illness and death. 

According to him, new variants will keep coming as the virus keeps on mutating over time and the XBB.1.16 is sort of a ‘new kid on the block.’ The XBB.1.16 is a recombinant lineage of the virus and is a descendent of the XBB lineage of Covid-19.  (Maxim News) 

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