Mumbai: Mumbai has become the first city in India to report the first case of the new XE variant of coronavirus which is believed to be more transmissible than omicron.
In an official announcement, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that one patient was infected with the 'XE' variant of COVID-19, while the other was infected with the 'Kapa' variation.
However, the patients infected with the new variant haven't shown any significant symptoms so far.
Reportedly, the findings by BMC further revealed that one of the 230 patients whose samples were analyzed died.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) had issued a warning against a new mutant 'XE' variant of omicron.
As per the report, the XE variant may be more transmissible than any strain of COVID-19.
The report further claimed that XE is a ''recombinant'' which is a mutation of BA 1 and BA.2 omicron. The recombinant mutations emerge when a patient is infected by multiple variants of COVID.
The report further claimed that XE is a ''recombinant'' which is a mutation of BA 1 and BA.2 omicron. The recombinant mutations emerge when a patient is infected by multiple variants of COVID.
According to experts, the variants mix up their genetic material during replication and form a new mutation.
The World Health Organisation said that the new mutation XE appears to be 10 percent more transmissible than the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron.
"Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of 10 percent as compared to BA.2, however, this finding requires further confirmation," WHO added.
Reportedly, XE was first detected on January 19 and 637 cases of the new variant have been reported yet.
Coming to symptoms, they can be mild for some and they can be severe for others. The newest variant spreads rapidly.
Depending on one's vaccination status and immunity acquired from earlier infections, symptoms, and severity of the Covid-19 virus depend from person to person.
Some of the symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore throat, scratchy throat, cough and cold, skin irritation and discoloration, gastrointestinal distress, etc.
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