As per the INSACOG, the forum that studies and monitors genome sequencing and virus variation of circulating strains of COVID-19 in India, a total of 76 samples of new COVID variant XBB 1.16 has been found in the country.

As per the official data, the samples have been found in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Delhi, Telangana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha. The highest number of XBB 1.16 cases has been found in Karnataka and Maharashtra, the data reveals.