Impact Of The New COVID Variant ‘XE’ In India

Depending on the preliminary genomic analysis of a sample accumulated from a South African national on February 27, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai’s municipal body, reported on April 6 that a case of the XE variation of the coronavirus had been verified in the city.

On the other hand, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday that current research does not support the existence of the XE COVID modified version, dismissing media reports that a case of the new mutant had been reported in Mumbai.

The occurrence of the new variation is not suggested by current data, according to @MOHFW INDIA,” PIB Maharashtra said in a tweet.

Lady who tested positive for this new COVID variant

According to the administration, the lady who tested positive for #XEVariant is a 50-year-old woman who is adequately vaccinated, has no problems, and is asymptomatic. “She had arrived from South Africa on February 10 with no previous travels experience. She had tested negative for the virus when she arrived, ” as per the reports.

What does WHO say about this new variant?

Initial reports from the UK Health Security Agency and the World Health Organization indicate it may be the fastest transmitting strain ever, with transmission rates about 10% higher than BA.2 (which is more transmissible than BA.1). They also claim that it is too soon to know how serious a hazard it poses to global health. Indian virologists have stated that it is unclear if the variety is severe enough to create another COVID outbreak in the country while also advising precaution and COVID-appropriate conduct.

How will it affect India?

“The variant is being keenly examined,” according to a renowned expert at the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV).

Dr. Shahid Jameel, a top virologist, emphasized that because the XE is a fusion of BA.1 and BA.2, practically everyone in India has antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 due to earlier exposure or immunization. It may not make a big difference in India.