COVID: Omicron subvariants emerging, Key symptoms to take note of

In view of the rising XBB variant infected COVID cases in the country, there is a need to know the probable risks associated with it.

“There is, however, early evidence pointing at a higher reinfection risk, as compared to other circulating Omicron sublineages,” the WHO says, ruling out the fear around severity of the infection. “While further studies are needed, the current data do not suggest there are substantial differences in disease severity for XBB infections,” it adds.

On the potential of the XBB variant to start a new COVID wave, it says: Whether the increased immune escape of XBB is sufficient to drive new infection waves appears to depend on the regional immune landscape as affected by the size and timing of previous Omicron waves, as well as the COVID-19 vaccination coverage.