India's First Case Of Omicron XBB.1.5, Behind 40 Per Cent Infections In US, Detected In Gujarat

The first confirmed case of Omicron's XBB.1.5 in India has been detected in Gujarat. According to INSACOG data, the Omicron's XBB.1.5 infection was confirmed in December.

In November INSACOG issued a bulletin mentioning that XBB BJ.1/ BM.1.1.1 detected in multiple states in India, "XBB, a BJ 1/ BM.1.1.1 recombinant lineage with a breakpoint in the spike protein is presently appearing in multiple countries. This recombinant lineage was first detected in Singapore and US and has also been identified in multiple states in India. A sub-lineage of XBB with an additional mutation is also detected (XBB.1)."

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What is Omicron XBB.1.5?

XBB itself is a recombinant of two different BA.2 sub-variants of Omicron. But its descendant XBB.1.5 carries genetic data from two versions of the coronavirus that originated from the BA.2 subvariant and is believed to have a tighter bind to the ACE2 receptor, which would explain its higher level of transmissibility.

XBB.1.5 is estimated to account for 40.5 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the US in the week ending December 31, nearly doubling from the previous week, according to data updated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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XBB.1.5 behind COVID spike in US

XBB.1.5 made up 21.7 per cent of the total cases in the previous week ending December 24.

Recombinants of the BA.2 variant, XBB and XBB.1.5 together accounted for 44.1 per cent of the total cases in the country in the week ending December 31, CDC data showed.

The XBB variant has been driving up cases in parts of Asia, including Singapore. While some experts have said it is more transmissible, it has not resulted in a surge in hospitalizations.

Another two Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 accounted for about 45 per cent of new COVID-19 cases in the US in the latest week, CDC data showed.

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Next 40 days crucial for India

With COVID-19 cases rising across many countries including China and the US, there is also growing concerns in India of a possible fourth wave.

The next 40 days are going to be crucial as India may see a surge in COVID-19 cases in January, official sources said on December 28, citing the pattern of previous outbreaks.

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While most health experts say that there will be a surge in cases in the coming days, they have ruled out a possible increase in critical infections that may require hospitalisation.

They say that India's high vaccination rate and hybrid immunity from previous infections may prevent another deadly wave of COVID-19 in the country.

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