Rise in coronavirus: Covid surge driven by Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16 entering endemic stage, cases likely to decrease after 10-12 days

Covid cases in India: Although Covid cases are rapidly rising acros the country, the rate at which the Coronavirus is spreading will recede in the next 10 to 12 days as it is moving towards endemic stage, official sources said. The daily number of Covid cases will subside thereafter, the sources added, and further informed that current surge in Covid cases is driven by Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16, and the rate of hospitalisation is low.

However, people have been advised to follow precautions, wear masks and observe social distancing. Elderly and those suffering from serious ailments have been advised to take serious precautions and step out of homes only when necessary. 

Covid cases in India: Omicron and sub-variants driving surge

Regarding severity of the current Coronavirus strain, they informed that the ongoing spurt in Covid cases are being driven by Omicron and its sub-variants — which are low on disease severity, and have minimal transmissibility or immune escape.

XBB.1.16 — the Omicron sub-variant that is leading to most positive cases — has risen from 21.6 per cent in the month of February 2023, to 35.8 per cent in March this year. The official sourcres added that no rise in hospitalisation or mortality has been reported.

Covid cases in India: SII begins manufacturing Covishield again

Keeping in mind the yet another spurt in Covid cases across india, Serum Institute of India (manufacturers of Covishield vaccine) have restarted manufacturing the vaccine with an aim to make  6-7 million doses available in 90 days, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla said.

Also Read: Covid cases in India: Serum Institute's Covovax vaccine approved for booster dose - Check availability, cost per dose, eligibility

Informing about SII's other Covid vaccine - Covovax - which recently received permission to be administered as a booster, Poonawalla said that 6 million booster doses of Covovax vaccine for COVID-19 are already available. And added that adults need to mask up and take a booster shot to keep themselves safe from the Coronavirus.