- By Shubham Bajpai
- Mon, 09 Jun 2025 06:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Covid Cases In India: As Covid cases continue to rise in India, the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the active cases in the nation were logged at 6,491 till 8:00 am on June 9.
In the last 24 hours ending 8:00 am on June 7, the total active cases rose by 358 across India, with Gujarat registering the highest 158 cases.
Despite a low rise of 7 active cases, Kerala remained at the top of the list of the number of active cases with 1,957 patients. Kerala is followed by Gujarat, West Bengal, Delhi, and Maharashtra with 980, 747, 728, and 607 active cases, respectively.
No deaths in 24 hours, newly emerging XFG detected
However, the last day brought major relief with no reports of deaths. However, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has confirmed that about 163 cases of the newly emerging COVID-19 variant XFG have been detected in India so far.
The highest cases of XFG have been found in Maharashtra (89), followed by Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal (six each).
While 2 cases were detected in April, 159 cases were detected in May. In June, 2 cases have been detected so far.
What is XFG variant?
XFG is a newly emerging variant that harbours four key spike mutations and has achieved rapid global spread. It was initially detected in Canada, as per an article in The Lancet journal.
As per a report by HT quoting the Lancet study, XFG is a descendant of the Omicron variant and originated from LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. It harbours four key spike mutations (His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile).
The XFG variant has a "strong immune evasion" capability that allows it to survive and spread while managing to evade the body's natural defences.
(With PTI Inputs)