As per the latest data from the Union Health Ministry, India has crossed the 6,000 mark for total COVID-19 cases. 796 new cases were also reported in more than last 48 hours. As per the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), among these cases, 163 are from the newly emerging COVID-19 variant XFG. What Is The XFG Variant?As per a June 2025 Lancet Report, the recombinant XFG variant originates from LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 and harbours four key spike mutations including His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile and has achieved rapid global spread following its initial detection in Canada.The Lancet study also reveals that it is a descendant of the Omicron subvariant of the Coronavirus. The XFG variant also displays “strong immune evasion,” which allows the virus to survive and spread as it manages to evade the body’s natural defences.As of now, the new variant has been detected in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Who Could Be The Worst Affected?Several groups in India face a higher risk during spikes in respiratory infections. These include older adults, people with underlying conditions such as heart disease, lung disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity, as well as those with weakened immune systems like cancer patients and transplant recipients. Pregnant women, due to physiological changes, and children under five—particularly those who are unvaccinated—are also more vulnerable.Health experts recommend that individuals in these categories take extra precautions: wear masks in public places, avoid crowded settings, stay indoors when possible, and maintain regular hand hygiene.What Is The Plan Of Action?Hospitals have been instructed to follow the updated ABC Guidelines 03, released in June 2023, for managing patients showing symptoms of COVID-19 or influenza. Anyone with signs of ILI (Influenza-Like Illness), ARI (Acute Respiratory Infection), or SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) must be tested. If a Rapid Antigen Test is negative, an RT-PCR test is mandatory. The health department has also directed that district RT-PCR testing facilities be used to their full capacity.Though the preventive measures are not new, their importance has been renewed. Respiratory viruses often follow seasonal patterns, bringing repeated waves of infection. People with symptoms—or those at high risk—are strongly advised to avoid crowded, closed, and poorly ventilated spaces such as public transport, offices, malls, and theatres, particularly if not wearing a mask. While rapid testing is easily accessible in cities, limited access in rural areas highlights the need for wider distribution.What Is Happening Globally?On May 28, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a global rise in SARS-CoV-2 activity, based on data from its Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. Since mid-February, test positivity rates have been climbing steadily, reaching 11 per cent—levels last seen in July 2024.The surge is most noticeable in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific regions, driven by emerging subvariants such as LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1. Among these, NB.1.8.1 has drawn special attention and has been classified by WHO as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM). By late April, 518 sequences of NB.1.8.1 had been reported from 22 countries, making up 10.7 per cent of global submissions.While NB.1.8.1 appears to spread more easily, current evidence shows no increase in disease severity. Reported symptoms remain familiar—sore throat, fever with chills, nasal congestion, fatigue, and headache.