state tally

XBB 1.16 mild in nature, Pune experts call for elderly to take booster dose

Experts in Pune, India have warned that the new Covid variant XBB 1.16 is one to watch, as it is mild but highly infectious and can evade natural and vaccine-induced immunity. Elderly and those with co-morbidities have been advised to take the booster dose. XBB 1.16 is a recombinant sub-variant of Omicron and is one of more than 600 Omicron sub-variants. Pune district reported 90 fresh Covid cases, with 730 active cases, while Maharashtra reported one death and 542 new cases, taking the active cases in the state to 4,360.