New Delhi: According to the latest data from the Union Health Ministry, India’s active Covid case tally crossed the 6,000 mark, with 769 new cases reported in the last 48 hours. Some of these infections have been linked to a newly emerging COVID-19 variant XFG. About 163 cases of the newly emerging COVID 19 variant XFG have been detected in India so far, according to INSACOG data.The recombinant XFG variant harbours four key spike mutations and has achieved rapid global spread following its initial detection in Canada, according to an article in The Lancet journal.  Also Read:COVID-19 cases cross 5000 in India, Kerala worst hitAccording to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), the XFG variant of the COVID-19-causing virus has been found in a total of 163 samples — highest (89) in Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal (six each), news agency PTI reported. In May, as many as 159 samples were detected with the XFG variant, while two samples tested for this variant in April and two in June, yet data shows.   India’s active Covid case tally crossed the 6,000 mark, with 769 added in the last 48 hours, according to the Union health ministry data released on Sunday.Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that as COVID-19 cases in India crossed the 5,000 mark on Friday, Kerala remains the most affected state, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry data released on Friday. In view of the increase in cases, the Centre is conducting mock drills to check facility-level preparedness for COVID-19.   All states have been instructed to ensure the availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines in view of rising cases of COVID-19.   There are 5,364 active cases in India, and four fresh deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours.     Official sources have maintained that most cases are mild and managed under home care. Also Read:Ensure oxygen, ventilators- Centre instructs States as COVID-19 cases rise