The coronavirus has been constantly transforming since it was first found in 2019. And now experts have identified another mutant version of the Delta strain of COVID-19 – Delta Plus.
What is Delta plus variant?
Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) has been formed due to a mutation in the Delta or B.1.617.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2.
India’s response to the Delta plus variant?
The Centre has identified the Delta plus variant of SARS-CoV-2 as a ‘variant of concern’. Cases of the new variant have started to surface in Maharashtra, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh. According to the Health Ministry, 48 cases of Delta plus variant found in 10 states from 45,000 samples, including retrospective samples till June 25, 2021.
The Ministry on Friday asked seven chief secretaries to take immediate containment measures in those districts where cases of patients infected with the Delta plus variant of COVID-19 have been found.
Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to chief secretaries asking them to implement immediate containment measures and ensure proper adherence to COVID-19 measures.
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कोरोना संक्रमित मरीजों में 4 वैरिएंट पाए गए हैं – अल्फा, बीटा, गामा और डेल्टा। इसमें एक और वैरिएंट डेल्टा प्लस भी सामने आया है, यह वैरिएंट चिंतनीय हैं लेकिन अधिक गंभीर नहीं है इसलिए घबराएं नहीं।
-सुजीत कुमार, निदेशक, एनसीडीसी@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/O6aBCfOlh8— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) June 26, 2021
Are vaccines effective against Delta plus variant?
In his address at the press briefing, Rajesh Bhushan, Union health ministry secretary said, “Broadly speaking, both the Indian vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin – are effective against Delta variant but to what extent and what is the proportion of antibody titers they produce, that information we would very shortly share.”
Other things about the new variant:
- The new Delta plus variant has been formed due to a mutation in the Delta or B.1.617.2 variant. The earliest sequence of this genome was found in Europe in late March this year.
- Apart from India, Delta plus variant found in UK, Portugal, Switzerland Poland, Japan, Nepal, China and Russia.
- Delta Plus (AY.1) is resistant to monoclonal antibodies cocktail. And since it’s a new variant, its severity is still unknown.