COVID-19 Updates: Gujarat reports India's first case of the XBB.1.5 variant

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• Dec 31, 2022 | Dhupali Das

Maharashtra state public health authorities are now focusing on avoiding the sub-variant from entering the state due to...

Digital Desk: India confirmed its first Omicron's XBB.1.5 case in Gujarat in December, according to Insacog data. International researchers have identified that a rise in Covid cases and hospitalizations in New York is due to the sub-variant XBB.1.5. 

The original BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron was combined to create XBB. However, XBB.1.5, a descendant of it, is believed by US scientist Eric Topol to have a tighter bind to the ACE2 receptor, which would explain its higher level of transmissibility.

After the finding of the first XBB.1.5 case closer to home, Maharashtra state public health authorities are now focusing on avoiding the sub-variant from entering the state due to its proximity to Gujarat.

According to Dr. Pradeep Awate, a surveillance officer in Maharashtra, the state is monitoring the virus's genetic traces. It is conducting 100% of the genetic sequencing, and 2% of all international arrivals are being randomly sampled.  International arrivals are also subject to thermal screening. The samples that test positive are then sent for genetic sequencing.

"We have more than 275 cases of XBB in Maharashtra. But XBB.1.5 is another offshoot and little is known about its transmissibility. But being an XBB descendant, it indicates that there is only a minor change in the original version of the sub-variant. Still, we are taking necessary precautions to prevent its entry/spread in the state," Awate was reported saying by TOI.

Experts claim that all of the various varieties that developed during the past year are related to Omicron. However, India should not be concerned unless a completely new variant lineage is identified. However, experts advise caution.

In India, about 90% of adults have received two doses of a vaccine, with 30% receiving booster doses.