
Covid Variant XBB1.16 Driving Spike In Cases, See Symptoms And Precautions
NDTV
Symptoms of this variant include fever that gradually climbs and lasts for 1-2 days, sore throat, bodily soreness, headaches and abdominal discomfort.
India reported over 5,000 new covid cases in the last 24 hours. The Omicron variant XBB.1.16 is thought to be responsible for the abrupt increase in covid cases in India. The World Health Organization is closely watching the Covid subvariant XBB.1.16. It added XBB.1.16 to its list of variants under watch on March 22.
"In India, XBB.1.16 has replaced the other variants that are in circulation. So this is one to watch," said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's COVID-19 technical lead, during a March 29 press conference.
Symptoms of this variant include fever that gradually climbs and lasts for 1-2 days, sore throat, bodily soreness, headaches and abdominal discomfort. The XBB.1.16 variant does not cause any severe problems. However, people with underlying health concerns and those with respiratory conditions should use extreme caution.
As per a circular issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, patients with Covid-19 must be under home isolation. Physical distancing, indoor mask use, hand hygiene and symptomatic management (hydration, antipyretics, antitussive) are some of the must-dos if you catch the virus. Furthermore, patients should also monitor their temperature and oxygen saturation.