'FLiRT': List of states affected by new Covid variant

MUMBAI: A new Covid variant, known as KP.2 'FLiRT', has been identified through genomic sequencing in recent weeks. This variant, which is a subvariant of Omicron, is responsible for the recent increase in Covid cases across multiple states in the country.
The emergence of this new variant coincides with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, causing concern and panic among people.However, the question remains: is there a genuine reason for worry?
Health officials said KP.2 is replacing the JN.1 variant and has been found in about 50% of samples being sequenced. As of now, there was only a slight increase in Covid numbers, but there was no reason to panic, as the current strain was causing only mild symptoms, they added.
West Bengal
Cases: 36
The KP.2 variant of the Covid virus has been detected in 36 individuals in Bengal, raising concerns among experts due to its high transmission rate. This variant has the potential to trigger another surge, following the previous one that occurred in Dec 2023 and Jan 2024.
However, state officials have asserted that the current numbers do not indicate a significant surge, with approximately 30 active cases throughout the state. Furthermore, the majority of hospitals in the city have not reported any positive in-patients, suggesting that the situation is currently under control.
Maharashtra (The most alarming)
Cases: 146
Maharashtra has detected 146 instances of the KP.2 Omicron subvariant, signaling a change in the state's COVID-19 case composition. Despite this development, the number of hospitalizations has not risen correspondingly.
Gujarat, cases: 23
Rajasthan, cases: 21
Odisha, cases: 17
Uttarakhand, cases: 16
Goa, cases: 12
'FLiRT'
The name "FLiRT" comes from specific mutations in the virus's spike protein. These mutations occur at positions 456 and 346, where F changes to L and R changes to T, respectively. Combining "FL" and "RT" gives us "FLiRT."