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Health
Omicron RF.5 Variant Detected in Four COVID Samples in Andhra Pradesh
✍️ Business Today
🗓 19 Jul 2026, 02:03 PM
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Health officials in Andhra Pradesh have identified the Omicron RF.5 subvariant in four COVID-19 samples, raising questions about its spread and impact.
The Andhra Pradesh health department confirmed that the Omicron RF.5 subvariant was found in four COVID‑19 samples collected from patients in the state.
RF.5 is a recent mutation of the Omicron lineage that has been detected in a few countries, but this is the first report from India.
Officials said the samples were sequenced at a state‑run laboratory and that no large outbreak has been linked to the variant yet.
Health authorities urged people to continue following standard precautions, including vaccination, mask‑wearing and testing if symptomatic.
RF.5 is a recent mutation of the Omicron lineage that has been detected in a few countries, but this is the first report from India.
Officials said the samples were sequenced at a state‑run laboratory and that no large outbreak has been linked to the variant yet.
Health authorities urged people to continue following standard precautions, including vaccination, mask‑wearing and testing if symptomatic.