New Delhi: Ahead of the festive season, experts have warned against lowering guards as at least 18 cases of XBB sub-variant of Omicron were reported from Maharashtra in the first fortnight of October, state health department said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI.
Speaking with ABP News, Chief Medical Director at Noida’s Felix Hospital, DK Gupta said that Maharashtra witnessed a spike of 17.7 percent last week in Covid cases after the new variant was detected.
He also stressed on the fact that reinfections are possible even after getting fully vaccinated and a booster dose. However he highlighted that vaccines significantly reduce the severity of infection in an individual.
The new variant spreads through spike protein mutation and has immune escaping properties, he said.
Gupta urged the central and state governments to monitor the situation in other countries and take decisions accordingly. He also urged the government to soon roll out vaccines for children under 12 years of age saying that they are still unvaccianted which places them under the high risk category.
XBB Variant Cases In Maharashtra
Of the total 18 cases of XBB sub-variant detected in Maharashtra, 13 were from Pune, 2 each from Nagpur and Thane and one from Akola district of Maharashtra. Pune also reported one case of BQ.1 and BA.2.3.20 sub-variant each
“As per INSACOG labs' latest report, 18 cases of XBB variant have been reported in the state in the first fortnight of October month,” the official said, quoted by the news agency.
He also said that out of the 20 cases reported, 15 were vaccinated against Covid-19 while information on the rest five is still to be received.
Mansukh Mandaviya Reviews Covid Situation
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday reviewed the Covid situation amid detection of a new sub-variant in the country. It was concluded in the meeting that wearing of face masks and Covid-appropriate behaviour should continue, a statement by the health ministry said, reported by the news agency.
Many countries are witnessing a surge in covid cases after the emergence of the new variant.
Mandaviya also highlighted the need for community awareness for continued implementation of Covid Appropriate Behaviour especially in view of the upcoming festival season. Additional secretary Lav Agarwal made a detailed presentation on the global scenario of surge in Covid cases, primarily in Europe and an analysis of various Omicron variants, the statement said.
The presentation included a detailed analysis of the Covid situation in the country along with trends -- daily cases being reported, active cases, case positivity and testing status along with state-wise weekly tests per million including share of RT-PCR, it said.
Additional secretary Manohar Agnani gave a presentation on the current status of vaccination in the country, their availability and state-wise analysis of vaccine administration while highlighting the slow pace of administration of precautionary doses.