MUMBAI: It was earlier reported that a 50-year-old woman had tested positive for the new XE variant of coronavirus. However, sources close to the government have now claimed that the genomic sequencing of the woman's sample does not indicate the presence of the XE variant.

Earlier, it was reported that the woman had contracted the XE variant that was more likely to transmit 10% faster than the BA.2 variant.

The infected woman had received two doses of the Covid vaccine and showed no symptoms, health experts said. Health officials said there was no need to worry about her health as she did not have any other illnesses. The woman, who arrived in India from South Africa on February 10, had undergone a Covid test on the same day.