349 samples of the contagious new variant XBB1.16 were discovered in India as Covid-19 levels rose
Jyoti Singh "Journalist" 
According to INSACOG data, the XBB.1.16 variation of Covid-19, which may be the cause of the country's recent increase in coronavirus infections, has been found in a total of 349 samples. Nine states and Union Territories have reported finding these 349 samples of the variation.
According to INSACOG data received by PTI, Maharashtra has the largest number of cases related to this variety with 105, followed by Telangana with 93, Karnataka with 61, and Gujarat with 54.
Two samples that tested positive for the variation in January were the ones that originally identified XBB 1.16. 140 examples of the XBB 1.16 variant were discovered in February. According to INSACOG data, 207 samples of the XBB 1.16 variation have been discovered so far in March.
There has lately been an increase in Covid-19 instances in India. The number of coronavirus infections in India rose to 1,300 on Thursday, the most in 140 days, while the number of active cases rose to 7,605 overall. Three deaths have brought the total number of fatalities to 5,30,816. According to the statistics updated at 8 am, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra each reported one fatality.
Dr. Randeep Guleria, a former director of AIIMS, said on Wednesday that the new XBB.1.16 variety may be responsible for the recent increase. He emphasised that there was no need to fear, however, as long as it did not result in serious sickness or death.
He claims that since the virus is always evolving and the XBB 1.16 is somewhat of a "new kid on the block," new varieties will continue to emerge. A recombinant lineage of the virus, XBB.1.16 is a progenitor of the Covid-19 XBB lineage.
In light of the recent rise in influenza and coronavirus infections in the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged for continued vigilance and care on Wednesday while presiding over a high-level conference. According to a press release, he emphasised the need of improving genome sequencing and acting in a Covid-appropriate manner.
