XBB.1.16 variant new kid on the block, could be driving recent rise in Covid cases: Expert

On the one hand, the cases of H3N2 are increasing in the country, on the other hand, there is an increase in Corona cases. The number of active Covid patients has reached the highest level after four months. The rate of corona virus cases is alarming. Now the total number of active patients in the country is 7 thousand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a high-level meeting to review the Covid situation and reviewed public health preparedness. On Wednesday, India reported 1,134 new cases of corona virus, the highest in 138 days.

Former Director of AIIMS Dr. Randeep Guleria shares some important facts about the steady rise in the number of Covid cases. Dr. Guleria said that the new XBB.1.16 variant could spread faster and there is nothing to panic about.

Dr. Guleria said that cases of infection due to the new type of corona virus XBB.1.16 are currently increasing, but there is no need to panic. It does not cause serious illness or death. It is said that as the virus changes over time, new forms will continue to emerge.

As long as this variant of the virus does not cause severe illness, hospitalization and death, there is no problem because the population has some immunity to mild disease. Also can covid and influenza co-exist?

Dr Guleria said 'The virus evolves over time and this happens with both Covid and influenza and this is called antigenic drift. It will evolve gradually, the form will change slightly and new forms will emerge.

'The virus is constantly changing. If you look at what has happened in the last year, you will know that the types we have got are basically just sub types of Omicron. So it looks like the virus has stabilized a bit, it's not mutating as fast as it used to.'

'The number of cases seems to be increasing but then it may not come to light because initially people were very cautious and would go and check for themselves. Now even if they have flu-like symptoms, most people don't get themselves tested.'

"Now, even after the symptoms of fever-chill-cough appear, most of the people do not get checked. Some people do a rapid antigen test and do not tell about it even after the infection is confirmed. Hence the number they report may be lower than the actual number.'

"Those who test positive should share this information as it helps the government to know the true number of patients and take decisions and policies. No need to worry if you see an increase in cases because as long as the hospital.

"Active surveillance at the hospital and community level is needed to see if there is an increase in the number of hospitalizations and hospitalizations," Dr. Randeep Guleria has said.

The statement by Guleria, a renowned pulmonologist and part of the National Covid Task Force, comes at a time when active cases are steadily increasing.