India Reports 163 New Cases Of New COVID Variant XFG: INSACOG

The XFG COVID-19 variant first seen in Canada, is now in 163 Indian samples—mainly from Maharashtra. Most cases emerged in May. The variant has four spike mutations. India’s active cases exceed 6,000.

The recombinant XFG variant harbours four key spike mutations and has achieved rapid global spread. (Representational Image)

Source : PTI

New Delhi, Jun 9 (PTI) About 163 cases of the newly emerging COVID-19 variant XFG have been detected in India so far, according to INSACOG data.

The recombinant XFG variant harbours four key spike mutations and has achieved rapid global spread following its initial detection in Canada, according to an article in The Lancet journal.

According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), the XFG variant of the COVID-19-causing virus has been found in a total of 163 samples -- highest (89) in Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal (six each).

In May, as many as 159 samples were detected with XFG variant while two samples tested for this variant in April and two in June yet, data shows.

India's active Covid case tally crossed the 6,000 mark, with 769 added in the last 48 hours, according to the Union health ministry data released on Sunday. 

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)