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Key Points

Former ICMR chief Dr. Balram Bhargava highlights India’s preparedness to tackle the new XFG COVID variant. He notes the variant’s immune escape potential but reassures no evidence of increased severity. India’s diagnostic infrastructure, including Truenat and RT-PCR, ensures swift detection even in remote areas. Bhargava urges continued vigilance through testing, masking, and vaccinations.

Key Points: Ex-ICMR Chief Bhargava Says India Ready for New COVID Variant XFG

  • XFG variant detected in 163 cases across India
  • Mutations may enhance immune escape but not severity
  • India’s Truenat, RT-PCR aid early detection
  • Continued testing and masking advised
2 min read

India well-equipped to swiftly detect, contain new COVID variants: Ex-ICMR DG Bhargava

Former ICMR DG Bhargava assures India's diagnostic strength to detect and contain emerging COVID variants like XFG with rapid testing tools.

"Vigilance is critical now, and not panic. — Dr. Balram Bhargava"

New Delhi, June 10

The emergence of the XFG variant is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus's natural evolution, said Prof. (Dr) Balram Bhargava, former of Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and former Secretary of the Department of Health Research. He added that India is well-positioned to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly due to the widespread deployment of rapid molecular diagnostic platforms such as Truenat.

As of Tuesday morning, India has reported 6,815 active COVID-19 cases. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), 163 cases of the new COVID-19 variant XFG have recently been detected across the country.

Dr Bhargava said that XFG variant carries mutations that may enhance its ability to bind to human cells and bypass immune defences.

"Early reports suggest that the variant has high immune escape potential, but there is no current evidence to indicate increased severity. However, as the virus adapts, India's diagnostic infrastructure has adapted since the very first wave. RT-PCR remains the cornerstone of COVID-19 diagnostics, and the widespread deployment of rapid molecular platforms like Truenat puts India in a strong position to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly--even in remote and resource-limited settings," he said.

Dr Bhargava, who played a key role in India's pandemic response, stressed the continued importance of point-of-care testing in identifying emerging variants such as XFG.

"Vigilance is critical now, and not panic. As we've done in the past, we should continue testing when symptomatic, masking in crowded spaces, and staying up to date with vaccinations," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Good to hear our medical infrastructure is prepared this time. After the Delta wave nightmare, we can't afford another crisis. Hope the govt maintains transparency about case numbers unlike initial days. 👍
P
Priya M.
As a doctor in rural UP, I've seen Truenat machines make a huge difference! Earlier samples took days to reach cities for testing. Now we get results in hours. This is real progress for Bharat's healthcare 🩺
A
Amit S.
Why no talk about booster doses? Many elderly like my parents had last jab over a year ago. Variants keep coming but vaccination drives have slowed down. Need clear guidelines!
S
Sunita R.
Masking in crowded places should be made mandatory again, at least in metros. Saw shocking scenes at Delhi markets yesterday - zero precautions while new variant is spreading! 😷
V
Vikram J.
Proud of our scientists and healthcare workers! From importing testing kits in 2020 to developing indigenous solutions like Truenat - India's come a long way. But let's not become complacent. Jai Hind!

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