India has recently seen new cases of COVID-19, including two sub-variants of the Omicron strain, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, identified in different states.

According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), one case of NB.1.8.1 was found in Tamil Nadu in April. Four cases of LF.7 were confirmed in Gujarat in May.

Uttar Pradesh reported its first case during this wave when a 55-year-old woman from Noida tested positive. She had recently travelled by train and is now in home isolation.

"The woman... is in home isolation and her close contacts have tested negative," said Dr Narendra Kumar, Chief Medical Officer of Gautam Buddha Nagar.

AIIMS Rishikesh reports three cases

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh also confirmed three COVID-19 cases. One of the patients has already been discharged, while two others remain under observation.

Dr Meenu Singh, Director of AIIMS Rishikesh, said the current variant isn't very harmful but still advised caution for people with health issues.

“The current variant is not very harmful,” said Dr Meenu Singh, “but caution is still advised, especially for people with comorbidities.”

What are NB.1.8.1 and LF.7?

These two new sub-variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, belong to the Omicron family and are part of the JN.1 lineage, which is currently the most common in India. This main variant accounts for around 53% of all cases that have been genetically tested.

Both NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are being tracked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Variants Under Monitoring. This means they have changes in their genes that might affect how they behave, but they are not yet listed as dangerous or highly spreading variants.

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