India is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 infections with new variants being identified across multiple states. The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) announced on Saturday that variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 have been detected in the country.
The NB.1.8.1 variant was first identified last month, with four additional cases reported this month. Initially detected in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, new cases have now emerged in Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and other regions. Delhi has reported 23 new infections for the first time in three years.
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Globally, COVID-19 cases are also rising, notably in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and China. Authorities attribute the increase to the spread of the JN.1 variant and its sub-lineages LF.7 and NB.1.8.
Most patients exhibit mild symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Medical experts confirm that the illness is generally not severe, with most patients recovering within four days.
In response to the surge in cases, the Delhi government is taking precautionary measures, ensuring hospitals have sufficient beds, oxygen supplies, testing kits, and vaccines.