Late May has seen a sudden rise in COVID cases in India. More than 5,000 cases of the disease are reported by authorities, over 5,000 of which are true.
More than five years after the virus was declared a global pandemic, waves of new strains are still emerging from a number of nations to show an increase in COVID cases this year.
What are our current knowledge and locations of the new COVID variant:
In India, how many COVID cases are there?
According to the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there were 5, 364 active cases as of Thursday this week. More than 4,700 people have recovered from COVID since January 1 in India, and 55 have passed away as a result.
What and where are the new cases coming from?
NB is the primary coronavirus variant responsible for a recent increase in the disease’s spread. 1.8.1. In addition to other nations, cases involving this variant have been reported in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Thailand, China, and Hong Kong. In China and Hong Kong, it is now the most popular variant.
LF is a second variant. 7 is also in charge of some of India’s cases.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that it had found 13 cases of NB. 1.8.1 variant was discovered in England, with “small numbers” being found in every country.
By late April, NB. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.8.1 accounted for about 10.7% of global submitted sequences. From the previous month’s 2.5 percent, this increased.
What is known about the NB? 1.8.1 variant?
NB, the Omicron variant. 1.8.1 was first discovered in January of this year.
It is a “recombinant” variant, which entails the genetic fusion of two or more already present variants.
On May 23, 2025, the WHO declared the NB. 1.8.1 strain a “variant under monitoring” (VUM).
A VUM is defined as a variant that has undergone genetic modifications that the WHO has defined as a 2023 definition. Early evidence suggests that this variant can spread more quickly or spread more quickly than others, but this has not yet been proven.
The impact of the variant on health, immunity, or transmission is still a mystery.
Why are new cases so prevalent?
While the NB . The strain may have spread more easily, according to virologist Lara Herrero’s May 28 article for The Conversation. 1.8.1 strain is still being investigated.
The new strain had the strongest ability to bind to human cell receptors, according to researchers who used lab-based models. This suggests that the strain may “infect cells more effectively than previous strains,” Herrero wrote.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine professor of microbiology and immunology Subhash Verma told CBS News, “It is more transmissible.”
What signs exist?
Symptoms of the NB are typical. A sore throat, cough, muscle aches, fever, and nasal congestion are among the strains 1.8.1.
Additionally, it can lead to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues.
Effective against the new strain, are COVID vaccines?
According to doctors, vaccines still offer a potent defense against COVID infections, severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
However, virologist Herrero claimed that NB. spreads more quickly than NB. 1.8.1 may “partially sidestep” immunity brought on by previous infections or vaccines.
Health authorities anticipate that the current COVID jabs will work to protect people from severe illness and provide protection from this coronavirus variant for the time being.
Should we be worried?
There is no proof, according to health experts around the world, that the new coronavirus strain is more severe or fatal than the previous strain. It does appear to spread more quickly, though.
Source: Aljazeera
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