India detects emerging COVID-19 variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 amid localized rise in cases
Medicine supplies and testing kits are sufficient, while additional arrangements are ready if hospitalizations increase
India has reported the emergence of new COVID-19 subvariants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, according to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). One case of NB.1.8.1 was detected in Tamil Nadu in April, while four cases of LF.7 were identified in Gujarat in May.
Both variants are currently classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Variants Under Monitoring — not Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest — but they are believed to be contributing to the recent rise in cases in China and parts of Asia.
In India, the dominant variant remains JN.1, accounting for 53% of samples tested, followed by BA.2 (26%) and other Omicron sublineages (20%).
Although WHO considers NB.1.8.1 a low public health risk globally, its spike protein mutations — including A435S, V445H, and T478I — suggest increased transmissibility and potential immune evasion.
As of May 19, India had 257 active COVID-19 cases. A recent high-level meeting chaired by the Director General of Health Services and attended by ICMR, NCDC, and other experts reviewed the current situation.
Despite the low national caseload, several states have reported localized increases — Delhi: 23 new cases; Andhra Pradesh: 4 cases; Telangana: 1 case; Bengaluru: A nine-month-old tested positive amid a slow uptick and Kerala: 273 cases in May.
In Maharashtra, Thane city recorded 10 new cases over three days, prompting the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) to urge hospitals to remain alert. All patients exhibited mild symptoms and are recovering at home.
TMC Commissioner Saurabh Rao emphasized that there is no cause for panic but stressed continued vigilance. A 19-bed dedicated COVID-19 ward has been prepared at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, which is also equipped with RT-PCR testing.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chetna Nitil confirmed that medicine supplies and testing kits are sufficient, while hospital superintendent Dr. Aniruddha Malgaonkar said additional arrangements are ready if hospitalizations increase.
The TMC assured the public that the health system is well-prepared and under constant monitoring.
