Maharashtra: Govt warns of Covid-19 spike citing new virus variants

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The health department in the state has cautioned that Covid-19 cases could increase during the festive season, citing new variants like BA.2.3.20 and BQ.1 recorded in the state.

The new XBB variant of coronavirus has a growth advantage over BA.2.75 and has immune evasive property.

On Monday, the state's health bulletin mentioned that Covid-19 cases increased by 17.7 per cent between October 10 and 16 as compared to between October 3 and 9.

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The increases in cases can be noticed particularly in the districts of Thane, Raigad and Mumbai.

"Some experts are predicting a rise in the coming winter season especially in the festive environment. In WGS (whole genome sequencing), the proportion of BA.2.75 has decreased to 76 per cent from 95 per cent," the bulletin said.

"The state has reported XBB which is a new variant having a growth advantage over BA.2.75 and immune evasive property. Apart from this, the state has reported BA.2.3.20 and BQ.1 variant first time in India," it said.

The health department asked people not to ignore flu-like symptoms, seek medical advice at the earliest and observe Covid-19-appropriate behaviour in public places.

(with inputs from PTI)