Four cases of BF.7 variant have been found in India currently
Amid fear of a new wave that might get driven by the BF.7 variant, as is seen in the COVID situation in China, four cases of the mentioned coronavirus variant have been found in India.
This has led to so many questions. Should we be prepared for another COVID wave? If yes, will it be as severe as the Delta wave? What should be the precautionary measures we need to take?
Many virologists have said that this is not the first time BF.7 variant is seen in India. It was seen in July, but did not cause any significant rise in COVID cases.
What are the symptoms associated with the BF.7 variant?
As is seen from the four cases- two each from Gujarat and Odisha- BF.7 variant does not have any trademark symptom of its own.
People are experiencing upper respiratory infection mostly and are showing symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose and cough. Some people are also experiencing stomach related issues like diarrhea and vomiting.
The infection led by the BF.7 variant has the symptoms that were seen during the infection caused by the previous variant of COVID.
XBB variant is dominant in India right now
The recombinant variant, XBB, is the dominant strain in India right now. XBB is a recombinant of BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sublineages.
Along with India, it is also prevalent in 34 other countries. In comparison to other Omicron sub lineages, the XBB has a higher reinfection risk.
What are the Coronavirus symptoms seen in India currently?
Early cases of the XBB variant reported mild symptoms. The cases which were found in Maharashtra did not show any severe symptoms.
The classic symptoms of COVID like fever, runny nose, fatigue, body ache, headache, sore throat and shortness of breath are being seen in people.
Why don't we see any significant change in the COVID symptoms?
There has been no significant change in the symptoms of COVID for the last one year. It might be because the Omicron variant has remained the dominant strain worldwide for the last one year.
No new variant has been detected ever since Omicron took over Delta.
For the last one year we have been seeing the sub variants of the Omicron variant, which might be the reason why no significant change in the symptoms are seen in people.
Is there a possibility of a new COVID wave?
It is too early to say anything on this.
While many experts say that negligence like not practicing COVID appropriate behaviour like wearing a mask can speed up the spread of the infection, many other experts have agreed to this and have also said that the BF.7 variant was found in India in July, but did not cause any significant rise in COVID cases.
Reports say that the BF.7 variant has already been found in 91 countries before the China spike.
Coronavirus symptoms that are seen in vaccinated individuals
More than 68% of the total population in India has been vaccinated against COVID. The recent variants of the Omicron are notorious for breakthrough infections and reinfections.
UK based ZOE Health Study has found that the top symptoms like sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose, persistent cough and headache are mostly seen in people who are fully vaccinated against COVID.
Coronavirus: Top 5 COVID symptoms that show up in fully vaccinated people
COVID surge can generate newer variants?
The coronavirus gets scope to replicate and mutate with every new infection. In view of the exploding COVID situation in China health experts have warned that this might lead to the generation of new variants.
However, health experts in India have said that BF.7 variant was found in India in July and 90 other countries before the COVID spike began in China. It did not cause any significant rise in cases during that time. However, they have urged people to follow COVID protocol.