Mumbai: Cases of the Corona Epidemic are continuously decreasing in the country. In the midst of all this, Corona has once again increased the tension. The first case of the new XE variant of Omicron has come to light in the country. This first case has been found in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. Not only this but a case of the Kappa variant has also been registered in the city. This information has been given by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The BMC said, “The results of the 11th test under the determination of the Covid virus genetic formula – Omicron were detected in 228 or 99.13% (230 samples) of patients. One patient is affected by the ‘XE’ variant and the other with the ‘Kappa’ variant of COVID-19.”
According to reports, the XE variant is said to be a hybrid strain of two Omicron sub-variants BA.1 and BA.2. Out of 376 samples tested, 230 patients from Mumbai were found infected with Omicron. Out of which the XE variant has been confirmed.
News agency ANI quoted official sources as saying that INSACOG is conducting a genomic analysis of a case after a follow-up declared XE positive case of COVID-19 in Mumbai.
WHO warning
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning regarding the ‘XE’ variant of Omicron, saying that this strain may be more contagious than any strain of corona previously seen. The new variant is 10% more contagious than the BA.2 subvariant.
The WHO also warned that BA.2 is the most dominant strain of the virus, accounting for 86% of all sequenced cases. Whereas, ‘XE’ only accounts for a small fraction of cases.
Trace XE variant in the UK
The WHO said in a report released earlier this week, “XE recombinant (BA.1-BA.2), was first detected in the UK on 19 January, and since then fewer than 600 sequences have been reported and confirmed.” Has been.”
