New Delhi: As active COVID-19 cases in India neared 6500, some of the positive cases have been found to be from a newly-emerging variant, PTI reported citing Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
A total of 6,491 active cases have been recorded across India, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Kerala remains the worst-hit state, with a total of 1,957 active cases.
Amid the latest surge in infections, INSACOG has said that 163 active cases have been attributed to the new XFG variant.
The new variant has been detected in Maharashtra (89 cases), Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal (6 each).
What is the XFG variant?
The new variant is a descendant of the Omicron subvariant of the coronavirus. It was initially detected in Canada, according to a study issued by The Lancet.
The XFG variant, originating from LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, harbours four key spike mutations (His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile) and has achieved rapid global spread, the study added.
The XFG variant also displays “strong immune evasion,” which allows the virus to survive and spread as it manages to evade the body’s natural defences.
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