Omicron’s new sub-variants BA.5.1.7 and BF.7 are said to be the newest strains of COVID-19. With greater transmissibility, experts express concern over a fresh COVID wave this Diwali.
The country is witnessing a decline in fresh Covid-19 cases however the virus is posing new threat with its highly infectious Omicron sub-variant BF.7.
Maharashtra health department has warned of a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in the state, especially during winters and the festive season. The department has informed new variants like BA.2.3.20 and BQ.1 have been reported from the state.
The Kerala government announced earlier on October 17 that it was stepping up preventive measures in the state in light of new genetic variations of COVID-19 being reported from other parts of the world.
In a statement, Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George said that everyone should be extra cautious and wear masks correctly for self protection, especially the elderly and those with comorbidities because COVID-19’s new genetic variants, XBB and XBB1, are more contagious than its older genetic variants.
The new COVID variations are more likely to have a significant impact on the elderly and those with comorbidities, hence both groups must receive the booster/preventive dose of the vaccination.
Omicron BF. 7 is the latest subvariant of the Omicron variant, first detected in Northwest China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Also known as the ‘Omicron spawn’, this new variant is fast spreading.
According to recent reports, the first case of BF.7 has been found in India as detected by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre.
“The next two to three weeks are crucial. Covid-19 is still around, and new variants are being reported in different parts of the world. Obviously, we cannot remain unscathed from them. So, we need to be careful as festivals are a few days ahead,” said Dr N.K. Arora, chairman, National Technical Advisory Group of Immunization (NTAGI).