FU.1, a new variant of Omicron, was found by the Neeri labs in the COVID-positive sample of a woman from Gadchiroli. According to the officials, the variant has been found in 28 COVID-positive patients, out of which 14 cases were detected in Maharashtra. The rest of the cases have been reported from Delhi and Gujarat.

The variant developed as a result of a mutation in the Omicron sublineage XBB.1.16, which has recently become a dominant variant. The XBB.1.16 version was responsible for the increase in COVID instances between January and April of 2023.

The lab sequenced 96 COVID-positive samples from labs in Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Chandrpur, and Bhandara. The lab results showed that 69 patients were infected with XBB. 1.16 variant.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/diagnostics/new-covid-variant-fu-1-in-gadchiroli/100247737