Based on 30 genome sequences deposited between October and December and 14 genome sequences in December alone from China and the BF.7 appears to be the dominant variant. 

The BF.7 sub-lineage with three additional immune escape mutations already seen in other variants has been found in some people arriving from China; these mutations may increase transmissibility further but will not increase disease severity.

In fact, given that a large percentage of the population enjoys hybrid immunity from vaccination and natural infection leading to all Omicron sub-lineages causing only a mild disease, the focus in India should be on any increase in hospitalisations, particularly ICU admissions.

It is therefore, vital to ramp up genome sequencing (and not increase testing) to track new variants as the virus evolves by accumulating mutations.