Pune: Maharashtra's public health department has reported 150 cases of a new coronavirus sub-lineage KP.2 of the JN.1.11.1 variant, named FLiRT. According to INSACOG (India SarsCov2 Genomics Consortium), the KP.2 sub-lineage has become the predominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 in circulation in Maharashtra, officials said.
According to the official statement released by the public health department on Monday, 150 cases of FLiRT have been reported from 10 districts in Maharashtra. Of the 150 patients, 77 (48%) are from Pune district, followed by 52 from Thane district and seven each from Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.
According to INSACOG experts, the KP.2 infection was first detected in samples of a patient collected in Pune on February 8. Later, it was found in samples collected from Thane on February 15. In March, FLiRT infections increased in eight more districts of Maharashtra.
No new case of Covid-19 was reported in Pune district on Monday. Currently, there are four active cases of Covid-19 in Pune city. Nine new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Maharashtra on Monday and two patients were discharged after recovering from the virus infection, taking the total number of active Covid-19 cases in the state to 67.
Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, Maharashtra coordinator for genome sequencing and head of the microbiology department at BJ Medical College, said Maharashtra is seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases, but the number of new cases is not alarming. “It is not just Covid-19, but in case of all respiratory infections, the best way to prevent the spread of the infection is to wear a mask and maintain a safe distance. People with comorbid conditions, people aged 65 years and above and pregnant women should be cautious. Unwell persons should take leave and avoid going to offices, public places and crowded areas,” he said.