Covid raises its head again; 91 cases reported in Maharashtra

Maharashtra authorities have reportedly identified 91 cases of the new Covid-19 Omicron subvariant KP.2. This variant, surpassing the previously circulating JN.1 variant, has emerged as a primary driver of cases in various nations worldwide.

According to the Times of India, Pune has reported 51 cases of the KP.2 variant, followed by Thane with 20 reported cases. The emergence of KP.2, globally detected in January, has significantly altered the landscape of Covid-19 transmission. Alarmingly, it is now confirmed to be the predominant variant in the United States.

Maharashtra also first identified cases of this subvariant as early as January. By March and April, it had become the dominant strain in the region.

The lineage of KP.2 can be traced back to its predecessor, JN.1, which held prominence as the predominant Covid strain by the end of 2023. The surge in cases witnessed in March, averaging around 250 detections, is attributed to the rapid spread of the KP.2 variant across the state.

Apart from Pune and Thane, additional cases of the KP.2 variant have been identified in various districts. Seven cases each were reported in Amravati and Aurangabad, while Solapur recorded two cases.

Furthermore, isolated instances of the KP.2 variant were reported in Ahmednagar, Nashik, Latur, and Sangli. Notably, no cases have been reported from Mumbai, underscoring the uneven distribution of this emergent strain across Maharashtra. CNBCTV18