Gujarat fourth in Covid Cases at 83; XFG, LF.7 variants found

Ahmedabad: The state, with 83 active Covid cases, is fourth in India after Kerala (430), Maharashtra (209), and Delhi (104). In the past 24 hours, the state added 76 cases, according to the Covid dashboard of the Union ministry of health and family welfare.

The analysis of variants prevalent in the state indicated that LF.7 has four cases, whereas LF.7.9 and XFG each have three cases out of 15 positive samples analysed in the state.

Experts said that all are Omicron variants and so far, there is no major threat associated with the variants, with low morbidity and mortality across India.

"The double season this month has caused a rise in flu-like symptoms among patients. The symptoms of Covid are no different. Covid is endemic now, and there is no need to be alarmed with the rise or fall in the number of cases reported.

The majority of the patients do not show any major effect due to acquired immunity," said a physician from Ahmedahad. "Covid is again in focus primarily due to the rise in cases in a few countries. But across the globe, there have been no reports of high mortality or morbidity."

Experts said that it is the reason they are not advising all suspects to go for a Covid-19 test. "If the symptoms persist beyond 3-4 days after conventional medicine, only then is the need for further investigation required.

So far, hospitalisation of any case is not reported in the city," said an internal medicine specialist.

BOX:

Omicron variants at play in India, abroad

Experts said that across the globe, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are believed to be sub-variants of Covid-19 that have high cases. In India, only Gujarat (LF.7) and Tamil Nadu (NB.1.8.1) have recorded cases of these sub-variants. They are sub-variants of Omicron.

Health department officials said that several other variants such as JN.1 have been recorded in the past 1.5 years. But all of them show a tendency similar to Omicron, where some symptoms include headache, cough, sore throat, and fatigue, among others.