Covid-19 Variant XBB1.16 Can Evade Immune System, Warn Health Experts

Top health experts say that the XBB 1.16 Covid-19 variant is believed to be highly contagious and more virulent than the previous strains of the virus.

New Delhi: Amid the recent spike in the number of Covid-19cases, medical experts have warned that the new XBB1.16 variant is able to evade the immune system of the people and the upcoming four weeks are very crucial. Senior pediatrician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr Dhiren Gupta said, "The XBB 1.16 variant is the primary cause of the rise in cases among children and adults. This variant is showing immune escape and is able to evade the immune system. It is infecting those who had the Covid infection during the previous waves and also teenagers and adults who have been vaccinated."

"It is likely to spread. Infections like adenovirus and influenza seem to be more bothersome than covid. The next four weeks are going to be important," he said. Dr Dhiren also said that XBB 1.16 variant is believed to be highly contagious and more virulent than the previous strains of the virus.

"There has been a significant rise in the number of Covid cases in India during the past few weeks, this has been attributed to a new variant known as XBB 1.16. The number of cases in children under 12 has also been increasing," he said.

The Consultant General Paediatrician at Madhukar Rainbow Children`s Hospital, Dr S K Nakra said that among the Covid positive cases, conjunctivitis has also been reported in some cases. "The symptoms of Covid 19 are high fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, body aches and gastrointestinal symptoms. Red sticky eyes (conjunctivitis) have also been reported by some physicians. However, this was seen in the earlier strains also in about 1-3 per cent of Covid patients. It is too early to say that this red eye is more common with XBB 1.16 variant," he said.

He said that most of the pediatric patients have mild symptoms and are similar to other viral infections (adenovirus) circulating at this time. "RT PCR testing is required to confirm Covid 19. Infants, obese children and children with co-morbidities like asthma, juvenile diabetes and those on immuno-suppression may get a severe form of Covid and need to be more careful." 

He further warned those children who come under comorbidities. Prevention can only happen through Covid-appropriate-behavior- masking in public places, frequent handwashing and avoiding indoor crowded places," Dr Nakra added. 

Two-Day Covid-19 Mock Drill Concludes

The two-day Covid-19 mock drill was conducted successfully at 35 States and union territories across 724 districts, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed on Tuesday. The Ministry stated in the release, "Amidst a gradual spike in COVID-19 cases in several states, the Union Health Ministry had written to States and UTs on March 28, 2023, to conduct mock drills on April 10 and 11 across all health facilities, including COVID dedicated healthcare facilities to evaluate their level of preparedness, in terms of equipment, procedure and manpower". 

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on April 7, chaired a meeting with state health ministers and urged them to conduct mock drills of all health facilities and requested them to review preparedness with district administration and public health officials.

India reported a total of 5675 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, which was a marginal decline from Monday`s case count of 5,880, stated a bulletin issued by the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday. India`s overall active caseload currently stands at 37,093, with a daily positivity rate of 2.88 per cent and a weekly positivity rate of 3.81 per cent, according to the release.