COVID-19 in India Live Updates: What is the new Covid-19 variant?

Covid-19 Cases in India Live Update: A new Covid-19 subvariant, NB.1.8.1, has been detected in India. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution has classified this variant as a ‘Variant Under Monitoring,’ indicating significant changes in the virus but with an unclear epidemiological impact. At least one sample of NB.1.8.1 has been submitted to India’s Covid-19 genome sequencing consortium, INSACOG, from Tamil Nadu. Most of the recent sequences in India have been BA.2 and JN.1 variants.

Reasons for the recent Covid-19 surge: Experts attribute the rise in cases over the past few weeks to multiple factors, including waning immunity from vaccines given over a year ago, relaxed public behavior, and the emergence of the more transmissible NB.1.8.1 variant. Weather changes and declining air quality may also contribute to increased respiratory infections.

Covid-19 cases in major cities: Active Covid-19 cases in India have crossed 3,000, with Kerala reporting the highest number at 1,336 active cases, followed by Maharashtra and Delhi, according to data from the Union Health Ministry released on Saturday. In the last 24 hours, four deaths were reported across the country — one each in Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.