Govt sources deny reports of first case Covid XE variant in India: Report | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Govt sources deny reports of first case Covid XE variant in India: Report

ByIshika Yadav | Edited by Aniruddha Dhar
Apr 06, 2022 10:04 PM IST

"Present evidence does not suggest that it is 'XE' variant of Covid-19," a source said.

The early evidence doesn't suggest the presence of Covid-19 'XE' mutant in the country, government sources said on Wednesday, according to news agency ANI, after media reports suggested the first case of the variant had been detected in India.

(Representative image)
(Representative image)

Read more: Everything you need to know about the XE variant

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The government sources said that FastQ files, a text-based format for storing both a biological sequence and its corresponding quality scores, of the sample, being said to be the 'XE' variant, was analysed by INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) which inferred that the genomic constitution of this variant doesn't correlate with the genomic picture of 'XE'.

"Present evidence does not suggest that it is 'XE' variant of Covid-19," a source said.

The Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation had earlier in the day said that "one patient is affected by 'Kappa' variant and another by 'XE' variant" based on regular testing of samples.

According to the initial reports, India’s first case of the XE variant of the coronavirus disease was reported from Mumbai. The individual who tested positive for the XE variant was a fully vaccinated 50-year-old woman with no comorbidity and asymptomatic, BMC officials said.

The XE variant - hybrid of two sublineages of Omicron (BA.1 and BA.2) was first detected in the UK on January 19. Apart from the UK, cases of the XE variant have also been detected in Thailand and New Zealand.

The XE variant appears to be more transmissible than previous strains of the coronavirus, the WHO said. “Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of around 10 per cent "as compared to BA.2," it added.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    A journalist with 4+ years of experience in digital and broadcast media, Ishika Yadav covers Indian Politics, World News and Human Interest pieces for Hindustan Times.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On