New COVID-19 Variant XBB1.16 May Be Responsible for Recent Spike in Cases, Found in Multiple Indian States

According to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a total of 76 samples of the COVID-19 Variant XBB1.16 have been discovered in several states of India, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Delhi, Telangana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Odisha.

The INSACOG reported that 15 samples of the XBB1.16 variant have been discovered in March. Some experts believe that this variant may be responsible for the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Former AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Guleria, who heads the national Covid task force, also suggested that H3N2 influenza cases seem to be driving the rise in Covid cases.

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