New Delhi [India], May 28 (HBTV): Chief Executive Officer of Dr Dangs Lab, Arjun Dang, on Tuesday stated that the recent rise in Covid-19 cases across the country was linked to a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant. He also noted the emergence of specific sub-variants in states such as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

‘We must understand that the current spreading variants are again a sub-lineage of the Omicron virus. Additionally, in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, we have certain other sub-variants that have been named Variants Under Monitoring, and these are basically of two types, LF7 and NV181. Currently, the cases that we are seeing are more transmissible. They can infect people easily, but again, from the severity perspective, till now, we have not seen any severe cases,’ Dang told ANI.

He clarified that symptoms reported among patients largely resembled those of the common cold and flu, and added that hospitalisations were minimal.

‘All of these are actually presenting as common cold and flu, and the usual symptoms that we have in any kind of common cold. Even the hospitalisations have been minimal,’ he said.

Dang further emphasised that healthcare facilities and personnel were now better equipped, with enhanced preparedness and improved surveillance tools.

‘There has been an increase in the number of sample requests that we are receiving. But this time, we are better prepared, more informed, and we have better surveillance tools. With the scientific tests that we have, we are in a good place from the preparedness perspective to face this effectively and minimise any kind of damage that the current wave might cause,’ he added.

Meanwhile, on May 26, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also confirmed that although Covid-19 cases were once again being reported in certain regions, the current variants in circulation were producing mild symptoms similar to the Omicron strain. (ANI)