New Delhi: India reported its first case of the mutant variant XE in Mumbai on Wednesday, as per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s statement.
Around 230 samples were sent for genome sequencing, out of which 228 were positive for Omicron, one Kappa and one XE. 21 out of the 230 had been hospitalized and one of them needed intensive care. other 12 out of the total hospitalized were unvaccinated while nine were completely shielded.
“FASTQ files in respect of the sample, which is being said to be XE variant, were analysed in detail by genomic experts of INSACOG who have inferred that genomic constitution of this variant does not correlate with a genomic picture of XE variant,” an official said.
As per the guidelines of the World Health Organisation, the BA 2 and XE is at par so far the spreadability is concerned. As of now, there is nothing to worry about,” the official further added.
The patient, a 50-year-old costume designer arrived from South Africa in February and tested positive in March, sources in the know from BMC reported.
The new strain was first detected in the UK at the start of the year. The Britain Health Agency on April 3rd claimed that the strain was first detected on January 19 and 637 cases of the new variant were reported in the country so far.
XE- a recombinant strain, a mutation of BA1 and BA2 Omicron strains. Recombinant mutations emerge when a patient is infected by multiple variants of Coronavirus. The variant mixes up its genetic material during replication and forms a new strain. According to WHO, the strain appears to be 10 per cent more transmissible than BA.2 sub-variant.