Maharashtra: 50 per cent of new Covid-19 cases are XBB.1.16

The latest genome sequencing result has revealed that 50 per cent of the Covid-19 patients across the state were infected with new Coronavirus sub-variant XBB.1.16, believed to be highly contagious. Health officials, however, said this was a small surge and that this strain would not wreak havoc, as only a handful of patients are in need of hospitalisation.

Since mid-February, many states in the nation have been witnessing a gradual rise in Covid-19 cases, including Maharashtra. However, over the past few days, the numbers have shot up rapidly. On Sunday, the state health department recorded 397 new cases, including 123 from Mumbai. The number of active cases in the state rose to 2,117, with 558 in Mumbai. According to data from the BMC, only 43 out of the 558 patients are currently hospitalised.

An elderly man buys fruits at a market in Goregaon West. Pic/Anurag Ahire

While health experts believe XBB.1.16 is driving the surge, they have appealed to the public to take their booster shot, if they have not yet. There is no harm in adopting precautionary measures, like masking up and avoiding crowded places, they added.

Also Read: Mumbai: Dadar-Mahim area sees rise in coronavirus cases in March; no new case in Dharavi

Dominant variant

Dr Nitin Ambadekar, director of state health services, told mid-day, "We have been sending all the positive RT-PCR samples for genome sequencing. For the past four-six week, we have observed that XBB.1.16 is the dominant sub-variant. The latest genome sequencing result showed that 50 percent of cases were of XBB.1.16."

Dr Rahul Pandit, a member of the Covid Task Force and Chair Critical Care Reliance Foundation Hospital, said, "XBB.1.16 seems to be similar to other Omicron sub-variants. It will be too early to say that XBB.1.16 is behind the surge."

Speaking about the current trend of numbers, he added, "It seems to be a small surge due to weather change. However, people have to be vigilant, especially senior citizens and those with comorbidities. They should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, like wearing masks and following hand hygiene, and complete their vaccination against the Coronavirus."

Status of vaccines

Although the central government asked to ramp up vaccination, the state only has Covaxin vaccine. Out of the approximately 1 lakh doses, Mumbai only has 500. Dr Ambadekar said, "Currently, around 700 to 800 people are getting vaccinated daily across the state. We have around 1 lakh doses of Covaxin, so there is no scarcity as of now. The number of admissions in the hospitals is low, but we have ample beds to deal with any situation and if needed, we can ramp up strength at any moment. We are vigilant and screening all patients with Influenza-like illnesses and acute respiratory infections for Covid-19. We appeal to the people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and avoid crowded places. Also, people should complete their vaccination dosages."

43
No of patients currently hospitalised in Mumbai