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As many as 290 cases of <keyword id="21545939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KP-2" source="keywords">KP.2</keyword> and 34 cases of <keyword id="21748081" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KP-1" source="keywords">KP.1</keyword>, both sub-lineages of COVID-19 that are responsible for surge in cases in Singapore, have been found in India, according to official data. However, a source in the Union health ministry told PTI that they are all sub variants of <keyword id="20115417" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="JN1" source="keywords">JN1</keyword> and there is no associated increase in hospitalisation and severe cases. "So there is no reason for concern or panic. The mutations will keep happening at a rapid pace and this is the natural behaviour of viruses like SARS-CoV2," the source said. The source further said that the INSACOG surveillance is sensitive and is able to pick up the emergence of any new variant and samples are also picked from hospitals in a structured manner to detect any change in the severity of disease due to virus. Data compiled by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) showed that 34 cases of KP.1 have been found across seven states and UTs with 23 cases registered from West Bengal. The other states are Goa (1), Gujarat (2), Haryana (1), Maharashtra (4) Rajasthan (2) and Uttarakhand (1). As many as 290 cases of KP.2 have been registered with Maharashtra reporting the highest number at 148, according to the data. The other states and Union territories are Delhi (1), Goa (12), Gujarat (23), Haryana (3), Karnataka (4), Madhya Pradesh (1), Odisha (17), Rajasthan (21), Uttar Pradesh (8), Uttarakhand (16) and West Bengal (36). Singapore is seeing a new COVID-19 wave as the authorities recorded more than 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11 with KP.1 and KP.2 accounting for over two-thirds of cases in Singapore. Globally, the predominant COVID-19 variants are still JN.1 and its sub-lineages, including KP.1 and KP.2. KP.1 and KP.2 belong to a group of COVID-19 variants scientists have nicknamed 'FLiRT', after the technical names of their mutations. The strains in FLiRT are all descendants of the JN.1 variant, an offshoot of the Omicron variant. KP.2 was classified by the World Health Organization as a Variant Under Monitoring.

290 cases of COVID-19 variant KP.2, 34 cases of KP.1 detected in India: INSACOG data

<ul><li>The latest data from <keyword id="10505450" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="INSACOG" source="Orion">INSACOG</keyword> reveals that three samples from Gujarat and one each from Karnataka and Rajasthan <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/xbb-1-5-tally-up-to-5-says-insacog-patients-show-mild-symptoms/articleshow/96692874.cms">tested positive</a> for the new <keyword id="15929505" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="XBB-1-5-variant" source="Orion">XBB.1.5 variant</keyword>. </li><li>An official said that all three patients who tested positive in Gujarat recovered within a few days of quarantine. </li><li> <keyword id="15232061" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="xbb" source="Orion">XBB</keyword>’s descendant variant XBB.1.5 is said to have a higher transmission rate compared to other variants, as per experts.</li></ul>Omicron’s sub-variant XBB.1.5 has officially entered India and its tally has gone up to five cases till now. Gujarat reported the first case on December 31, according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). The latest data from INSACOG reveals that three samples from Gujarat and one each from Karnataka and Rajasthan <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/xbb-1-5-tally-up-to-5-says-insacog-patients-show-mild-symptoms/articleshow/96692874.cms">tested positive</a> for the new XBB.1.5 variant. This variant of Omicron is also behind the surge in Covid cases and hospitalisations in the US, accounting for <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/india-confirms-first-case-of-omicron-variant-xbb-1-5-thats-behind-us-surge/articleshow/96637832.cms">3.6%</a> of the total cases reported last week. “So far, nothing unusual has been reported in the five patients infected with XBB.1.5 though we are currently assessing the clinical data. Many mutations are being reported in Omicron, but as of now, there is no indication that these newer sub-variants will cause something adverse in India,” according to <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/xbb-1-5-tally-up-to-5-says-insacog-patients-show-mild-symptoms/articleshow/96692874.cms">INSACOG</a> officials. Another official from the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) told the Times of India that all three patients who tested positive in Gujarat recovered within a few days of quarantine. XBB is a recombinant of two BA.2 sub-lineages of Omicron. According to the <keyword id="43588" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="Orion">World Health Organization</keyword> (WHO), this variant has a global prevalence of 1.3% and it has been detected in 35 countries. However, XBB’s descendant variant XBB.1.5 is said to have a higher transmission rate than other variants, as per US scientist Eric Topol. <div type="twitter" handle="EricTopol" handlename="Eric Topol" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1589325138960318464/2OwvQAWC_normal.jpg" favoritecount="524" retweetcount="164" status="I reviewed all we know about the XBB.1.5 variant 10 days ago, w/its high transmissibilityhttps://t.co/mnaA3kemLpT… https://t.co/wyovgkPJ9D" createdat="1672706618000" id="1610074371581972480"></div> <keyword id="12877836" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Eric-Feigl-Ding" source="Orion">Eric Feigl-Ding</keyword>, an epidemiologist and health economist, also tweeted that the new sub-variant XBB.1.5 spreads much faster than the XBB and BQ variants of Covid-19. <div type="twitter" handle="DrEricDing" handlename="Eric Feigl-Ding" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1516900105613422592/VflZHQ1Y_normal.jpg" favoritecount="4922" retweetcount="2458" status="📝Recap why #XBB15 (storming 🇺🇸&amp;🇬🇧) is a super variant:📍among most immunity-evasive ‘escape variants’ to date📍on… https://t.co/0bOHjVsdva" createdat="1672526789000" id="1609320112582021120"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Vaccines and precautions" comment="subhead" text="Vaccines and precautions">Vaccines and precautions</cmsannotation> XBB variant is already driving up Covid cases in many parts of Asia including India. It is currently the dominant variant and circulating all over the country, according to INSACOG. India's active caseload currently stands at 2,582, with 134 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry data. “Reports have shown that these sub-variants are causing more re-infection rather than a high severity,” Dr Aditya S Chowti, senior consultant - internal medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, told Business Insider India. The XBB variant, which is already spreading in the country, may trigger a new wave in the country. “XBB is very immune-evasive, which means it can overcome the antibodies. So, we may see another wave of infections in some countries because of XBB,” Dr Laxman Jessani, consultant, infectious disease, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai told Business Insider India. The available vaccines in the market for Covid-19 are found to be ‘partially effective’, Dr Jessani said. “It’s important to know that vaccines protect against the worst cases of Covid-19 and the latest booster is expected to be effective against these variants. Unvaccinated people, as well as those who are elderly or immunocompromised, remain at highest risk,” Dr Jessani added. India has so far administered 220 crore Covid-19 doses including first, second and booster shots. Amid a sudden surge in cases, doctors of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) suggested the government must approve a fourth Covid shot, which would be the second booster dose, if approved. However, government <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/no-second-covid-19-booster-dose-required-govt-sources/articleshow/96701441.cms">source</a>s said on Tuesday, that no second booster dose was currently required, adding, “First we have to complete the booster drive in the country." As cases are witnessing a massive surge in various parts of the world, the Indian government has also mandated the submission of RT-PCR reports for all overseas travellers coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. The government also made it compulsory for travellers to upload their health status from January 1, 2023 on its Air Suvidha website. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/this-startup-which-lends-to-the-rural-middle-class-raises-35-million-in-a-series-c-round/articleshow/96704383.cms">This startup which lends to the rural middle class raises $35 million in a Series C round</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/bharatpe-ceo-suhail-sameer-to-step-down-five-months-after-taking-over/articleshow/96703750.cms">BharatPe CEO Suhail Sameer to step down five months after taking over</a>

India’s case tally of new Omicron variant XBB.1.5 reaches five — Here’s what you need to know

The number of cases of COVID-19's <keyword id="15929505" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="XBB-1-5-variant" source="Orion">XBB.1.5 variant</keyword>, responsible for the rise in cases in the US, has gone up to 26 in India, according to INSACOG data on Monday. The cases of XBB.1.5 variant have been found across 11 states and Union territories till now, including <keyword id="66" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="Orion">Delhi</keyword>, <keyword id="13126" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maharashtra" source="Orion">Maharashtra</keyword> and <keyword id="6357783" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="west-bengal" source="Orion">West Bengal</keyword>, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said. The XBB.1.5 strain is a relative of the <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> XBB variant, which is a recombinant of the Omicron BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 subvariants. Combined, XBB and XBB.1.5 make up 44 per cent of cases in the US. The INSACOG data also showed that 14 cases of BF.7 strain which is apparently driving China's COVID-19 wave have been found in India. There are four cases of Omicron sub-variant BF.7 reported in West Bengal, three in Maharashtra, two each in Haryana and Gujarat and one each in Odisha, Delhi and <keyword id="6354780" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="karnataka" source="Orion">Karnataka</keyword>. INSACOG reports genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 across the country through sequencing of samples from sentinel sites and international passengers arriving in India. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/google-cci-penalty-case-will-you-put-in-same-regime-as-in-europe-sc-asks-google/articleshow/97027578.cms">Google-CCI penalty case: 'Will you put in same regime as in Europe', SC asks Google</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/ruchir-modi-lalit-modis-son-named-as-his-successor/slidelist/97023203.cms">The rise of the Lalit Modi heir: All about Ruchir Modi, son &amp; successor of IPL founder</a>

Covid 19's XBB.1.5 variant cases rise to 26 in India: INSACOG

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Doctors in <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> say <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword> patients have unusual <keyword id="44308" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Symptoms">symptoms</keyword> that could be due to the <keyword id="6383835" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="delta">Delta</keyword> variant.</li><li>They include gangrene and hearing loss.</li><li>There aren't enough sequencing tests sent to labs to know if these are unique to the Delta variant.</li></ul>Doctors in India claim that the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-variants-uk-south-africa-brazil-us-facts-questions-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highly infectious Delta variant</a> could cause unusual symptoms such as gangrene and hearing loss, which they say are becoming more common in COVID-19 patients of all ages.Alarming details of the symptoms were <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-07/gangrene-hearing-loss-point-to-delta-variant-being-more-severe">reported by Bloomberg</a> on June 7 and followed up by <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9661367/Coronavirus-Doctors-India-claim-new-Covid-variant-giving-people-gangrene-hearing-loss.html">the Daily Mail</a> and <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/new-symptoms-linked-delta-variant-24274465">Daily Mirror</a> in the UK, where the Delta variant now accounts for 91% of new COVID cases.The highly infectious variant has spread to 67 countries and is becoming more common around the world. But, with fewer cases in India sequenced, there isn't enough data to know for sure whether the symptoms are unique to the variant, or are caused by COVID more generally, which has already been linked to unusual symptoms such as diarrhea and blood circulation issues.The Delta variant is estimated to be 60% more infectious than the Alpha variant that's currently the most common in the US. It also has mutations that mean it can partially avoid the immune response.Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-variant-covid-coronavirus-india-fauci-second-shot-dose-2021-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warned last week </a>that the fast-spreading Delta variant could take hold in the US, if more Americans didn't get their COVID-19 shots. A <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1346#:~:text=Covid%2D19%3A%20Single%20vaccine%20dose,India%2C%20data%20show%20%7C%20The%20BMJ">Public Health England document from May</a> reported the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines were respectively 88% and 60% effective against the Delta variant after both doses.Dr. Ganesh Manudhane, consultant cardiologist at Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai, told Insider that he used to see four patients a year who had small blood clots causing gangrene, a serious condition where a loss of blood supply causes body tissue to die. Now it's one person every week, he said."I suspect it could be because of the Delta variant, because of the increased number of cases," Manudhane said - but he added that he hadn't genetically sequenced the patient's <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> tests to check for the Delta variant, which has become the most common COVID variant in the country since first being identified there in October.Dr. Abdul Ghafur, infectious disease consultant at Apollo Hospital in Chennai told Insider that he had experienced far more cases of people with COVID-19 presenting with diarrhea than in the first wave in 2020.But "all of the inferences from local doctors across the country were based on their clinical experience and not on any published data," he said.It isn't clear how many people in India are infected with Delta compared with other <keyword id="112799" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="variants">variants</keyword>. It is one of three similar virus strains that all originated in India.Some statistics group these three together, and not all positive coronavirus tests are sequenced in the lab to check for variants. As of April, 0.75% of all India's cases were sequenced, according to a report in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01427-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nature</a>. The country has had 29.45 million recorded cases since the pandemic began.This lack of data is holding back doctor's understanding of the variant.Ghafur added that "despite having the second highest number of [COVID-19] patients in the world, India's premier research institute, the Indian Council of Medical Research, hadn't conducted any scientific studies of value." Anurag Agarwal, director at the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in Delhi, told Insider that there was no clear link between the Delta variant and atypical symptoms.Agarwal said the rise in people with atypical symptoms may be because of the increases in overall COVID cases in India, rather than the rise of the Delta variant.Neil Ferguson, director at the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London, explained at a briefing in the UK on Wednesday that, when a large number of people get sick, there can be a spectrum of rare conditions that aren't typical at all.Dr Jeffery Barrett, director at the COVID-19 Genomics Initiative at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK said at the same briefing that the UK processes up to 20,000 tests each week.INSACOG, a group of research labs that conducts India's sequencing, said it had sequenced more than 10,000 samples since it was set up in December.Barrett told the briefing there was no data to suggest the Delta variants caused different symptoms to other variants.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vaccine-mrna-covid-drug-treatment-future-of-medicine-2021-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Experts explain why the mRNA tech that revolutionized COVID-19 vaccines could be the answer to incurable diseases, heart attacks, and even snake bites: 'The possibilities are endless'</a><div type="image" title="free covid test india" height="1468" width="1957" msid="83509721" hostid="261"></div><h2>Black fungus</h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-covid-19-patients-are-developing-deadly-fungal-infections-2021-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Black fungus</a> isn't a symptom of coronavirus but a complication that occurs <a href="https://www.insider.com/indias-covid-crisis-compounded-by-black-fungus-epidemic-spreading-hospitals-2021-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">during the weeks after infection.</a> Doctors in India have anecdotally associated it with the Delta variant.Dr. Harsh Vardhan, India's <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> minister, said Monday that there were more than 28,000 recorded cases of black fungus infection that occurs in people with compromised immunity or diabetes. Of these, 86% had had COVID-19. The link between black fungus and suppressed immunity or diabetes is not proven - but it's been suggested the high numbers of both in India could explain the number of cases of it.Ghafur said he believed the Delta variant was most likely the cause of the rise in black fungus cases."India has always been the diabetes capital of the world and use of [immune system suppressing] steroids was rampant in the first wave,'' Ghafur told Insider. "The only difference this time is the Delta variant."Dr Shailesh Kothalkar, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon at Seven Star Hospital in the western city of Nagpur, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/indias-black-fungus-wards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the Telegraph</a> that the Delta variant was "causing damage to the beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin and regulate blood glucose levels.""We need more investigation into this but [...] around 40% more patients are developing diabetes after having COVID-19 during this second wave," he said.Professor David Denning, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Manchester and chief executive of the Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections told the Telegraph: "It's possible that a different variant would produce more disruption of the lining of the nose or the lungs… and then that would allow fungus to get in more easily." "But it's a bit tenuous," he said.

Doctors in India are reporting COVID-19 patients with gangrene, hearing loss, and diarrhea - but there's not enough data to prove they're caused by the Delta variant

<ul><li>India has reported over 233 cases of the <keyword id="15232061" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="xbb" source="Orion">XBB</keyword> Covid variant, with the maximum cases in Maharashtra. </li><li>According to the WHO, XBB has a global prevalence of 1.3% and it has been detected in 35 countries. </li><li>The XBB is known to be immune evasive, say doctors. </li><li>The patients detected with these new variants are found to suffer from mild symptoms.</li></ul>The number of Covid-19 cases may be going down in the country, but the emergence of two new <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> variants — XBB and BQ.1 — are becoming a cause for concern. India has reported over 233 cases of <keyword id="15258639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="XBB-variant" source="Orion">XBB variant</keyword>, with the maximum cases seen in Maharashtra. These two variants are causing 20-30% of the infections in the country, Dr Laxman Jessani, consultant, infectious disease, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai told Business Insider India. India recorded 1,326 new Covid-19 cases and eight deaths in the last 24 hours, according to data by the Ministry of Health. These new variants hold the potential to trigger a new wave in many countries, say experts. “XBB is very immune-evasive, which means it can overcome the antibodies. So, we may see another wave of infections in some countries because of XBB,” Dr Jessani said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Severity of XBB and BQ.1 variant" comment="subhead" text="Severity of XBB and BQ.1 variant">Severity of XBB and BQ.1 variant</cmsannotation> XBB is a recombinant of BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sub-lineages. According to the <keyword id="43588" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="Orion">World Health Organization</keyword> (WHO), this variant has a global prevalence of 1.3% and it has been detected in 35 countries. BQ.1 is a sub-lineage of BA.5 and has a global prevalence of 6%, being detected in 65 countries. WHO feels that the overall phenotype of XBB and BQ.1 are not very different from other Omicron sub-lineages with additional immune escape mutations. However, it did add that the situation will be reassessed regularly. The cases of these new variants found in the country are mild and less severe, an <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amid-concern-insacog-says-xbb-variant-mild-101667243248670.html">expert</a> from Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said on Monday. “There has been no report of increase in severity of disease or increase in hospitalisation associated with these variants. Among the Indian patients, the disease is mild like with other Omicron sub-lineages, and no increase in severity is noted,” said INSACOG, a forum set up by the Indian government to study the virus variations of Covid. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Chances of re-infection are higher" comment="subhead" text="Chances of re-infection are higher">Chances of re-infection are higher</cmsannotation> Early data however suggests that people affected with these variants are actually cases of re-infection. “Reports have shown that these sub-variants are causing more re-infection rather than a high severity,” Dr Aditya S Chowti, senior consultant - internal medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, told Business Insider India. The upcoming winter season can also lead to an increase in the number of infections. It is yet to be seen whether it would be large enough to drive a wave in the country, said experts. The new sub-variants also have similar symptoms as seen in the Omicron variant. “Time will tell us how these two particular sub-variants will show their properties. We are not seeing any new symptoms as compared to the older infections,” Dr Chowti added. The available vaccines in the market for Covid-19 are found to be ‘partially effective’, Dr Jessani said. “It’s important to know that vaccines protect against the worst cases of Covid-19 and the latest booster is expected to be effective against these variants. Unvaccinated people as well as those who are elderly or immunocompromised remained at highest risk,” Dr Jessani added. India’s vaccine coverage has exceeded 219 crore doses, as per data available on November 1. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/40-of-indians-defrauded-while-shopping-online-during-festive-season/articleshow/95226063.cms">40% of Indians defrauded while shopping online during festive season</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/twitter-bosses-entitled-to-usd-122-million-in-golden-parachute-payouts/articleshow/95224235.cms">Twitter bosses entitled to USD 122 million in 'golden parachute' payouts</a>

Omicron variants XBB, BQ.1 causing 20-30% of Covid-19 infections in India, say doctors

A study has revealed that the highly transmissible <keyword id="11941567" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-delta" source="Orion">Covid Delta</keyword> variant can infect individuals who have been fully vaccinated against the virus. The study was conducted by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), <keyword id="174900" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Council-Of-Scientific-And-Industrial-Research" source="Orion">Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research</keyword> (CSIR) and the <keyword id="6367874" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-centre-for-disease-control" source="Orion">National Centre for Disease Control</keyword> in two Delhi hospitals. It has revealed that vaccination protects against hospitalisation and the severity of infection but there is also a possible risk of transmission in very vulnerable people. The researchers from INSACOG and CSIR analysed data on 113 breakthrough infections among healthworkers by constructing a probable transmission network from epidemiological and virus genomen sequence data using computational approach. The study has highlighted the need for infection control measures even amongst fully vaccinated people. It also revealed a high probability of potential virus transmission between individuals who has received both doses of vaccines. Meanwhile, the INSACOG in its last bulletin had said that <keyword id="6383835" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="delta" source="Orion">Delta</keyword> strain continues to be the main variant of concern (VOC) in India. "Delta (B.1.617.2 and AY.x) continues to be the main VOC in India. No new VOI or VOC are noted and other VOC and VOI other than Delta are now negligible in sequencing data from India," the INSACOG added. The Consortium also said that other variants of interest or concern are now negligible in sequencing data from India. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/covaxin-shows-50-effectiveness-against-symptomatic-covid-19-in-real-world-assessment-says-lancet-study/articleshow/87880492.cms">Covaxin shows 50% effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 in real-world assessment, says Lancet study</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/shimla-coimbatore-and-chandigarh-top-niti-aayogs-urban-india-index/slidelist/87884599.cms">Shimla, Coimbatore and Chandigarh top Niti Aayog's Urban India index — here is the full list</a>

COVID-19 Delta variant can infect fully vaccinated individuals too, reveals a new study

<ul><li>The new variant has a 4.4-fold higher neutralisation resistance than the original D614G variant. </li><li>But the good news is that this variant is not as severe as the <keyword id="6383835" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="delta" source="Orion">Delta</keyword> variant that dominated last year’s second wave, Dr Laxman Jessani told Business Insider <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>. </li><li>As the BF.7 variant is more transmissible than other variants, experts say vaccines may be less effective at preventing transmission for this strain. </li></ul>Just as Indians were getting ready to ring in the new year with a bang after two years of pandemic-induced low-key celebrations, a new <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> variant of Covid-19 – named BF.7 – is making headlines. This mutation is spreading widely in China and other countries. In fact, the variant has been around and was already dominant in October in many European countries and USA. The variant has reached India as well. This week, four cases were reported – three from Gujarat and one from Odisha. However, the patients have all recovered now. Even though India is currently only reporting less than 200 new cases daily, the new variant is getting the government and the healthcare system worried. On December 22, Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> chaired a high-level meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in India and urged everyone to wear masks in crowded public places. The new variant has a 4.4-fold higher neutralisation resistance than the original D614G variant — meaning that in a lab setting, antibodies from a vaccinated or infected individual were less likely to destroy BF.7 than the original Wuhan virus that spread worldwide in 2020, according to a study published in the Cell Host and Microbe journal. But the good news is that this variant is not as severe as the Delta variant, which was dominant in the second wave last year, according to Dr Laxman Jessani, consultant, infectious disease, Apollo Hospitals, <keyword id="57321" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="navi-mumbai" source="Orion">Navi Mumbai</keyword>. <keyword id="15865063" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="dr-jessani" source="Orion">Dr Jessani</keyword> told Business Insider India, “ It is not as severe as delta as per data available so far.” But BF.7 is not the most resilient sub-variant according to the study – there was an over 10-fold higher neutralisation resistance in another Omicron sub-variant called BQ.1. A higher neutralisation resistance means there is a higher likelihood of the variant spreading in a population and replacing other variants. People who are not vaccinated or have weaker immunity such as elderly citizens, children, pregnant females or people with multiple comorbidities are at a high risk of catching this infection. Also, the R0 value of this mutant as per studies is approximately 10-18.6 which means that any infected individual can infect 10-18.6 people around. The R0 value is a measure of the transmission rate of an infection and indicates how contagious a disease is. Whereas, the R0 value of the original strain, that emerged in 2019-20, was 3.0-3.3. The BA.5 strain of Omicron also had the same R0 value of 18.6. “There is a quicker infection rate of this virus, in hours, which makes it difficult to be detected in the RT-PCR test,” Dr Sandeep Ghanta, consultant, internal medicine, Citizens Specialty Hospital, <keyword id="6354552" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="hyderabad" source="Orion">Hyderabad</keyword>, told Business Insider India. Are vaccines effective against this variant? As BF.7 variant is more transmissible than other variants, vaccines may be less effective against this strain, according to Dr Jessani. However, doctors are still advising people to get their booster shots as it can help in strengthening the immune system. Dr Ghanta, however, suggests that a fourth vaccine shot may be helpful in preventing or triggering a new wave. “It is probable that if people get three to four shots of the vaccine, they may get protected. It is therefore very important for everyone to be more vigilant and responsive to taking <keyword id="8764262" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="covid" source="Orion">Covid</keyword> vaccines,” he said. According to Dr Anurag Agarwal, former head of India’s Covid-19 genome sequencing consortium INSACOG, the vaccines protected people until the Omicron variant that emerged last year in December. “Until Omicron, vaccines could control the spread of the infection. After Omicron, the vaccines aren’t really able to stop transmission, but they do prevent deaths,” he <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-health/covid-bf-7-omicron-sub-variant-china-virus-8337055/">said</a>. So, as the new year approaches, it’s time to mask up in crowded places and take basic precautions to protect against the infection. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/best-and-worst-performing-sectoral-indices-of-nifty-in-2022/articleshow/96448669.cms">Best and worst performing sectoral stock market indices in 2022</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/kgf-kantara-producer-hombale-films-to-invest-rs-3000-crore-to-produce-indian-films-over-5-years/articleshow/96448451.cms">'KGF', 'Kantara' producer Hombale Films to invest Rs 3,000 crore to produce Indian films over 5 years</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/flipkart-and-phonepe-complete-separation-six-years-after-acquisition/articleshow/96448321.cms">Flipkart and PhonePe complete separation six years after acquisition</a>

Covid-causing Omicron BF.7 variant highly transmissible but not as severe as Delta variant, say doctors

<ul><li>A new ‘double mutant’ variant of COVID-19 has been detected in 15-20% of the positive samples that have come in from Maharashtra.</li><li>This new variant of COVID-19 does not match the parameters of any previously known variant, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).</li><li>The ministry believes that there is not enough data yet to determine whether or not there is a causality between this new variant and the second spike in COVID-19 cases across the country.</li></ul>India has found a new ‘double mutant’ variant of COVID-19 in nearly one-fifth of the samples from Maharashtra analysed by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG). The news comes at a time when the country is dealing with its second spike of COVID-19 cases nationwide and daily deaths have hit at an all-time high for 2021. “There has been an increase in the fraction of samples with the E484Q and L452R mutations,” the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (<a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1707177">MoHFW</a>) said in a statement. “These mutations have been found in about 15-20% of samples and do not match any previously catalogued VOCs [variants of concern].” The new variant of COVID-19 debilitates the immune system further and increases infectivity, according to the ministry. However, the new ‘double mutant’ version of the virus has not been established as the cause behind the rapid increase in the number of cases in certain states. “Genomic sequencing and epidemiological studies are continuing to further analyse the situation,” said MoHFW in a statement. Variants of concern detected so far may only be the tip of the iceberg INSACOG has detected a total of 771 variants of concerns in the country after analysing 10,787 positive samples. The samples with these variants have been identified in 18 states across the country. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Variant </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Number of positive samples </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">UK variant </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">736 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">South Africa variant </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">34 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Brazilian variant </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1 </td></tr></tbody></table> And, this may only be the tip of the iceberg. An unnamed official from the health ministry told <a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/dismal-figures-india-sequenced-less-than-1-of-total-covid-19-samples-in-nearly-3-months--76114">Down to Earth</a> that less than 1% of the total positive samples received till January 2020 through to 18 March 2021 have been sequenced by INSACOG. Other countries around the world started the exercise of <keyword id="936385" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="genome-sequencing">genome sequencing</keyword> — studying the changes in the structure of COVID-19 over time — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/uae-announces-genome-sequencing-of-covid-19-to-help-trace-origin-of-virus/articleshow/75161917.cms">right at the beginning</a> of the pandemic. Meanwhile, India <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-screening-for-mutant-covid-19-strain-by-genome-sequencing-uk-returnees-who-test-positive-for-virus/articleshow/79991161.cms">initiated</a> the process only on 30 December 2020. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/everyday-items-may-get-even-more-expensive-indian-homes-should-brace-for-a-rise-in-cost-of-living/articleshow/81667537.cms">Everyday items may get even more expensive ⁠— Indian homes should brace for a rise in cost of living</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/inequality-is-only-increasing-in-india-the-resulting-lack-of-trust-may-make-climate-change-a-tougher-challenge-to-tackle/articleshow/81666431.cms">Inequality is only increasing in India — the resulting lack of trust may make climate change a tougher challenge to tackle</a>

India detects a new ‘double mutant’ variant of COVID-19 as it battles second wave of infections

The <keyword id="1129131" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="scientific-community">scientific community</keyword> has stated that they had hinted to the Central government about the <keyword id="2987267" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-variants">new variants</keyword> of Covid-19 virus and also an increase in the cases in May this year. The community, however, did not make any prediction due to lack of data analysis. Dr. M. <keyword id="6541669" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="vidyasagar">Vidyasagar</keyword>, who is a professor at <keyword id="6354859" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIt">IIT</keyword> (Hyderabad), stated that by March 13 this year Covid cases were showing an upward trend but as they did not have requisite data available so they did not make any prediction. Vidyasagar further stated that after they hinted, the government said the authorities made long- and medium-term plans to short-term plans. Based on the events of the past few weeks, however, those plans seem to have been inadequate, said Vidyasagar citing the current crisis of oxygen supply across the country. The IIT Kanpur study in April also stated that the daily cases in the second wave will increase by May 8. The Kanpur study also predicted a peak of 38 to 44 lakh active cases between May 14 and May 18. The scientists also stated in March that they had alerted the government about the new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus -- SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium, or INSACOG. The institution was set up by the government in December last year, specifically to detect genomic variants of the coronavirus. The institution examined 10 national laboratories across the country studying virus variants. The institution first detected B.1.617 as early as February. Ajay Parida, director of the state-run <keyword id="3748353" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="institute-of-life-sciences">Institute of Life Sciences</keyword> and a member of INSACOG, reportedly stated that they first detected B.1.617 in February and alerted the government. The <keyword id="83655" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-health-ministry">Union Health Ministry</keyword>'s <keyword id="6367874" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-centre-for-disease-control">National Centre for Disease Control</keyword> received the finding in March. The finding reportedly stated that the mutations, called E484Q and L452R, were of high concern. It stated E484Q mutant viruses escaping highly neutralising antibodies in cultures, and L452R mutation was responsible for both increased transmissibility and immune escape. The mutated versions of the virus could more easily enter a human cell and counter a person's immune response to it, according to the findings. The ministry put the findings in public domain in March stating that 'more problematic variants required following measures already underway'. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tata-power-says-it-has-no-such-decision-on-an-ipo-for-its-renewable-energy-business/articleshow/82365533.cms" style="">Tata Power says it has ‘no such decision’ on an IPO for its renewable energy business</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/gaming-startup-winzo-gives-complete-exit-to-hike-kavin-mittal-gets-four-times-return-on-investment/articleshow/82367340.cms" style="">Gaming startup WinZO gives complete exit to Hike – Kavin Mittal gets four times return on investment</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/adar-poonawalla-estimates-two-more-months-of-covid-19-vaccine-shortage-in-india/articleshow/82366770.cms">SII’s Adar Poonawalla estimates two more months of COVID-19 vaccine shortage in India — and the blame game is heating up</a>

Warned the Centre about new COVID-19 variants and surge in cases, says scientist community

<ul><li>India has detected its first six cases of the new COVID-19 strain, with three in <keyword id="6354321" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bengaluru">Bengaluru</keyword>, two in <keyword id="6354552" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="hyderabad">Hyderabad</keyword> and one in <keyword id="2094" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pune">Pune</keyword>.</li><li>All the individuals, and their close contacts, have been placed under quarantine by the respective states.</li><li>In addition to India and the UK, the new strain has also been reported in 13 other countries around the world. </li></ul>India has detected its first six cases of the new COVID-19 strain in people who have returned to the country from the UK. According to the British government, the new strain is 70% more contagious than its predecessor. The results come after the Indian Health Ministry issued a detailed action plan for the Genomic Surveillance Consortium to scan for the new variant of the virus in UK returnees who tested positive for COVID-19. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="79991161" title="India screening for mutant COVID-19 strain by genome sequencing UK returnees who test positive for virus" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Genome sequencing results: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Location </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cases </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">NIMHANS, Bengaluru (Karnataka) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">CCMB, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">NIV, Pune (Maharashtra) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1 </td></tr></tbody></table> The affected individuals have been kept in ‘single room isolation’ by the respective states where they have tested positive. All of their close contacts have also been placed under quarantine. “Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on,” said the India SAR-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) Labs in a statement. Before India suspended flights from the UK to India, the government estimates that around 33,000 passengers entered India between November 25 to December 23. So far, only 114 people have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition to India, the new strain has also been reported in Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore so far. In the UK, there has been a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in South East England, leading to enhanced epidemiological and virological investigations. Analysis of viral genome sequence data identified that a large proportion of cases belonged to a new single phylogenetic cluster. (With IANS inputs) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/three-anil-ambani-companies-accused-of-fraud-ten-times-more-than-vijay-mallya/articleshow/80002892.cms">Three Anil Ambani companies have reportedly been accused of fraud by banks⁠ — the amount at stake is nearly ten times more than what Mallya owed</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/jack-ma-ant-group-asked-to-overhaul-its-business-model-by-china-central-bank/articleshow/79987683.cms">China's central bank wants Jack Ma's Ant Group to overhaul its business model</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/top-10-most-expensive-natural-disasters-of-2020-in-the-world/slidelist/79986294.cms">Cyclone Amphan was the most expensive cyclone of 2020 and the fourth most expensive natural disaster overall</a>

You Searched For "INSACOG data" and got 10 results

290 cases of COVID-19 variant KP.2, 34 cases of KP.1 detected in India: INSACOG data

PTI

India’s case tally of new Omicron variant XBB.1.5 reaches five — Here’s what you need to know

Vaamanaa Sethi

Covid 19's XBB.1.5 variant cases rise to 26 in India: INSACOG

PTI

Doctors in India are reporting COVID-19 patients with gangrene, hearing loss, and diarrhea - but there's not enough data to prove they're caused by the Delta variant

Dr. Catherine Schuster-Bruce,…

Omicron variants XBB, BQ.1 causing 20-30% of Covid-19 infections in India, say doctors

Vaamanaa Sethi

COVID-19 Delta variant can infect fully vaccinated individuals too, reveals a new study

IANS

Covid-causing Omicron BF.7 variant highly transmissible but not as severe as Delta variant, say doctors

Vaamanaa Sethi

India detects a new ‘double mutant’ variant of COVID-19 as it battles second wave of infections

Prabhjote Gill

Warned the Centre about new COVID-19 variants and surge in cases, says scientist community

IANS

New mutant strain of COVID-19 has entered India via six UK returnees

Prabhjote Gill

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