Mumbai: Omicron sub-variants XBB cases found during genome sequencing

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After Thane, patients infected with Omicron sub-variants XBB and XBB.1 have also been found in Mumbai. This is for the first time, the above two sub-lineages are found in the city. The cases came to light in the 16th genome sequencing done by the Kasturba Lab of BMC, an official said.

In the genome sequencing, Xbb was found in 15 percent of the samples and Xbb.1 in 14 percent of the samples. Health officials of the BMC say that the new subtype is not a cause for concern as mild symptoms of corona have been found in patients infected with them, he added.

Genome sequencing of 234 samples was done. All samples have been found infected with the Omicron variant. 36 samples belong to the XBB variant and 33 samples are to the XBB.1 variant, the official said.

Also Read: Mumbai reports 62 Covid-19 cases, one death

According to a report, out of 234 patients, 87 patients had not received a single dose of the vaccine, out of which 15 patients required hospitalization. However, none of these hospitalized patients required ICU.

While 147 patients have received both doses of the vaccine. Out of this, 7 patients required hospitalisation, out of which one patient had to be admitted to ICU.

While two elderly people infected with Omicron have died due to other diseases. After new sub-variant cases coming to light, the BMC has once again appealed to the people to follow the Covid protocol.

Executive health officer, BMC Dr. Mangla Gomare said " for the first time the city has reported XBB and XBB.1 variant but it is not caused of concern as patients are having mild symptoms and recovering well, however, we will urge people to follow covid protocols in public space."