New XBB.1.16 Covid sub-variant spreads amid rise in cases

XBB.1.16 is being considered a variant of interest, as its increased transmissibility allows it to replace other dominant variants.

Data from India’s Covid-19 genome sequencing consortium, INSACOG, shows that the variant was found in 204 patient samples in March, up from 138 in February and just two in January.

Of the total 344 XBB.1.16 sequences isolated so far, the highest number (105) has been reported from Maharashtra, with cases of the new variant being reported from Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Sangli, Ahmednagar, Amravati, and Nandurbar.

This was followed by 93 sequences from Telangana, 57 sequences from Karnataka, 54 from Gujarat and 19 from Delhi. Two other sub-variants — XBB.1.5 and XBB.2.3 — are the ones with the highest presence among patient samples after XBB.1.16, INSACOG data shows.

“As a pandemic infection usually approaches endemicity, there are more and more variants. Has Covid-19 become endemic? We aren’t saying that but yes it is on its way there,” said a senior official from the Health Ministry, who requested anonymity.

The current increase in Covid-19 cases is being reported from eight states — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.

In Maharashtra, the number of Covid-19 cases increased from 377 during the week ending March 9 to 790 during the week ending March 16 and 1,650 during the week ending March 23. The positivity rate — the proportion of tested samples that return positive — increased from 1.05 per cent to 4.49 per cent during the same time.

This positivity rate is much higher than the national average of 1 per cent recorded during the same week.

In Gujarat, the increase in cases was steeper — 115 cases during the week ending March 9; 346 during the week ending on March 16; and 1,093 during the week ending March 23.

The positivity rate in the state increased from 0.32 per cent to 2 per cent during the same period.

In Kerala, the number of Covid-19 cases increased from 445 during the week ending March 9 to 601 during the week ending on March 16 and 979 during the week ending March 23. The positivity rate in the state increased from 2.02 per cent to 4.17 per cent.

The number of cases in Karnataka increased from 539 during the week ending March 9 to 603 during the week ending March 6, and 692 during the week ending March 23. The positivity rate in the state increased from 2.33 per cent to 3.08 per cent.

In Tamil Nadu, the number of cases increased from 186 during the week ending March 9 to 270 during the week ending March 16 and 480 during the week ending March 23. The positivity rate in the state increased from 0.89 per cent to 2.26 per cent during this period.

Delhi saw the number of cases increasing from 76 during the week ending on March 9 to 159 during the week ending on March 16 and 411 during the week ending on March 23. The positivity rate increased from 0.77% to 3.76%.

The cases in Himachal Pradesh increased from 44 during the week ending on March 9 to 128 during the week ending on March 16 and 238 during the week ending on March 23. The positivity rate in the state saw a sharp increase from 2.48% to 7.10%. “If the positivity rate is high, it means there are more people with the infection who are not getting tested. The states with high positivity rate have been asked to increase testing,” said a senior officer from the union health ministry.

Rajasthan saw the number of cases increase from 24 during the week ending on March 9 to 55 during the week ending on March 16 and 157 during the week ending on March 23. The positivity rate in the state increased from 0.31% to 1.43% during this time.

The states reporting an increase in cases were asked to keep an eye on the Influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections. They have been asked to send all positive RT-PCR samples for genomic sequencing, track positive patients, treat them if needed, and urge people to follow Coid-19 appropriate behaviour. The states have also been asked to focus on precaution doses. Over 90 per cent people have received both their primary vaccine doses, according to health ministry data, but the coverage of the third precaution dose has remained at 27%.

The Health Ministry official also said that there is likely to be another mock drill across hospitals in the country to check whether they are prepared to treat Covid-19 cases.

The Prime Minister on Wednesday had taken a high-level review meeting on the Covid-19 and influenza situation in the country. At the meeting, he directed officials to enhance whole genome sequencing of Covid-19 virus to track newer variants and carry out effective monitoring of influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections. He also urged people to follow respiratory hygiene and Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. He was informed that availability and prices of 20 main Covid Drugs, 12 other drugs, 8 buffer drugs and 1 influenza drug is being monitored.