18 cases of Omicron subvariant XBB detected in Maharashtra in October

As per the preliminary information, all these cases are mild. (file)

Mumbai:

At least 18 cases of Omicron’s XBB sub-version have been reported in Maharashtra in the first fortnight of October, the state health department said today.

Of these, 13 are from Pune, two each from Nagpur and Thane and one from Akola district, a health official said.

“As per the latest report by Insacog Labs, 18 cases of XBB variant have been reported in the state in the first fortnight of October,” he said.

Apart from these cases, Pune has reported one case each in BQ.1 and BA.2.3.20 sub-variants. These cases pertain to the period from September 24 to October 11.

As per the preliminary information, all these cases are mild.

It said that out of these 20 cases, 15 (18 of XBB and one each of BQ.1 and BA.2.3.20) were vaccinated against COVID-19, while information on the remaining five cases is yet to be received.

The BQ.1 case in Pune is mild and has a travel history to the United States. “Genetic mutations are part of the natural life cycle of the virus and there is no need to be concerned about but proper precautions need to be taken for COVID prevention,” it said.

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