New Covid-19, Omicron Variant : XBB 1.5

The new variant of SARS Covid-19 has increased global tensions among nations as the cases are increasing daily. Many Cases belonging to Covid new variants have also been seen in the USA and other countries. According to WHO, the new Omicron strain is very dangerous compared to earlier variants and highly transmissible. If you have jabbed with a Booster Dose or both doses of CoronaVirus, you will likely be protected from this strain.

What is the New Covid-19 strain?

The new strain of Covid-19, namely, XBB 1.5, is a recombinant, which means its genome is the product of the genomes of 2 different strains spliced together. Recombinant strains also arise when existing recombinant strains mutate. Earlier recombinants include XD (Delta + Omicron), XE (BA.1 + BA.2), and XBB (BA.2.10.1 + BA.2.75). The XBB strain is descended from BA.2.10.1.1 and BA.2.75.3.1.1.1. It mutated further and became XBB.1.5. XBB.1, which also descended from XBB, accounted for 14% of new cases in India around mid-December 2022.

Symptoms of Covid XBB 1.5 

• Multiple Omicron XBB 1.5 Symptoms are prevailing in the individuals who are getting infected.
• The first symptom of this virus is that Omicron Virus creates congestion in your Chest, due to which you may feel difficulty breathing.
• The new variant may cause high fever and headache in some infected individuals.
• Fatigue is also being felt by the recently infected individuals in Gujarat.
• Some people are also experiencing insomnia due to this virus disturbing their schedule.

Precautions 

• One must be aware of crowded places and avoid going to crowded places during rush hours.
• One should stay at your home instead of going out until or unless you have emergency work.
• Make sure you always wear a mask and use sanitizer after touching any surface in a public place.
• Maintain Social distancing at Public Places, Transport, and Offices to avoid infection.
• Get yourself jabbed with Covid vaccine and Booster dose to make yourself immune.

 Statistics Worldwide

 According to the article published in The Times of India, the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 makes up to 40.5% of new infections across the United States, according to The Hill citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Regionally, XBB.1.5 now accounts for the majority of COVID-19 cases in the northeast, identified as causing 75 percent of cases in New England and the New York tri-state area.

In November, China saw a record increase in local COVID-19 outbreaks.

Reference: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/covid-variant-xbb-1-5-account-for-over-40-of-cases-in-us/articleshow/96636629.cms

https://arogyabharti2021.in/covid-xbb-1-5-symptoms/

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/a-new-coronavirus-variant-on-the-block/article66331546.ece