India is witnessing a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, with the total number of active infections reaching 6,491, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). This increase comes amid the emergence of a new variant, XFG, which has been linked to a growing number of infections across several states.
New XFG Variant Spreads Across Multiple States
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has identified 163 cases of the newly emerging XFG variant across India, as reported by PTI. Maharashtra leads the count with 89 confirmed cases, followed by Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), and Gujarat (11).
Other states including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal have each reported six cases of the variant.
Kerala Remains the Epicentre of the Current Surge
Among all states, Kerala continues to report the highest number of active Covid-19 cases. As of the latest update, the state has recorded 1,957 active cases, with seven new cases in the last 24 hours alone.
The other states experiencing a significant uptick in infections include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana.
What We Know About the XFG Variant
The XFG variant is a descendant of the Omicron subvariant, as reported by Hindustan Times. It was first identified in Canada, according to a study published in The Lancet. It originates from LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 and carries four key spike mutations—His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile.
Crucially, the study highlights XFG’s strong immune evasion capabilities. This allows the virus to bypass the body’s natural defences and spread more rapidly.
No New Deaths in 24 Hours, But Fatalities Continue Since January
Although the health ministry has not recorded any deaths in the past 24 hours. It has reported a total of 65 Covid-related deaths in the country since January 1, 2025. These deaths were recorded in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Delhi.
Monitoring and Response Remain Critical
With the emergence of the XFG variant and the rise in active cases, health authorities are intensifying surveillance and testing. Experts continue to urge public vigilance, timely testing, and vaccination as essential tools to curb the spread of Covid-19.