349 samples of the pathogenic novel strain XBB1.16 were discovered in India during an increase in Covid-19 cases.

INSACOG data shows that 349 samples of the Covid-19 XBB.1.16 variant have been found. This variant may be to blame for the recent rise in coronavirus cases in the country.

These 349 examples of the variation were discovered in nine states and territories of the United States.

According to INSACOG data received by PTI, Maharashtra has the highest number of cases at 105, followed by Telangana at 93, Karnataka at 61, and Gujarat at 54.

Two positive samples for XBB 1.16 were identified for the first time in January. In February, 140 XBB 1.16 variant samples were discovered. According to INSACOG data, 207 XBB 1.16 variant samples had been discovered in March.

Recent months have witnessed an increase in Covid-19 instances in India.

India recorded 1,300 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, the most in 140 days, while the number of active cases rose to 7,605. The death toll has risen to 5,30,816 with the addition of three deaths. Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have each reported one death, according to data last updated at 8 a.m.

Dr. Randeep Guleria, a former director of AIIMS, stated on Wednesday that the new XBB.1.16 variant may be responsible for the current increase. Nonetheless, he emphasised that there was no need for alarm so long as it did not result in severe disease and death.

According to him, new varieties will continue to emerge as the virus continues to evolve over time, and XBB 1.16 is akin to a “new child on the block.”

The XBB.1.16 lineage of the virus is a recombinant descendant of the XBB lineage of Covid-19.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over a high-level meeting on Wednesday and urged vigilance and prudence in light of the recent increase in influenza and coronavirus infections in the country.

According to an official release, he emphasised the necessity to strengthen genome sequencing and adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour.

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