Expert says BA.4 and BA.5 have led to a rise in sequenced Covid cases in South Africa since early March; WHO says it is monitoring several descendent lineages, including BA.4 and BA.5.
The patient, who is a 67-year-old man, had travelled to Gujarat's Vadodara from Mumbai. He suffered from a mild fever on March 12. The genome sequencing of samples showed a confirmed case of XE.
The WHO has warned that XE is 10% more transmissible than other Covid variants, though there's little evidence right now as there are only a few cases associated with it, mostly in the U.K.
The health ministry says those above 18 years of age and who have completed 9 months after taking the second Covid-19 dose, will be eligible for this booster dose.
BMC said a patient has been affected by 'XE' variant of COVID-19 in Mumbai. But the Centre said it does not seem to be 'XE', though final observation will be made post the NIV-Pune report.
Omicron XE variant could be 10% more transmissible than Omicron BA.2 variant, which is currently causing massive infections in the U.K., parts of China and the U.S., warn experts.
