Gujarat records 2 more cases of XBB.1.5 variant

The most prevalent sub-variant of the Omicron strain of the Covid virus in the US - XBB.1.5 - was detected in two more patients in Gujarat, according to genome sequencing by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC).

While a week ago there was only one case (from Ahmedabad), the recent analysis found two more cases, one each from Ahmedabad and Anand.

XBB.1.5 currently accounts for about 40% of active cases in the US according to some studies.

From November, XBB has remained the most prevalent sub-variant in Gujarat.

According to GBRC, there has been 57 XBB.1 cases, followed by 52 of XBB.2, 23 of XBB.5 and 17 of XBB. In all, of 234 genomes sequenced, XBB accounted for 62%.

The new Covid cases in Gujarat have shown XBB.1 prominently, along with BQ.1, the earlier variant suspected to be behind the surge in US cases.