NB.1.8.1 and LF.7: India reports 2 new Sars variants as Covid cases jump, Kerala tops table

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Kerala reported at least 430 Covid-19 cases during the past week, while Delhi and Maharashtra recorded 104 and 209 new cases, respectively.

Amid rising cases, India’s SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has identified two new coronavirus subvariants: NB.1.8.1 and LF.7.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified both as “Variants Under Monitoring” rather than “Variants of Concern” or “Variants of Interest”, indicating that the global public health risk is currently minimal.

A total of 1,009 active cases have been recorded across India, with 12 in West Bengal, 13 in Rajasthan, 15 in Uttar Pradesh, 69 in Tamil Nadu, 47 in Karnataka, and 83 in Gujarat.

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Several states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, have reported an increase in new infections. Officials stated that the majority of these illnesses are mild and are being managed at home.

According to sources, the Union Health Secretary discussed the issue of COVID-19 cases on Saturday with the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR), the DGHS, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Health officials in the impacted states advise the public to continue taking preventative precautions, remain up to date on immunisations, and refrain from needless alarm while the nation closely studies the effects of these new variations.

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