Delta Plus Is Now ‘Variant Of Concern’; Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh & Kerala Told To Keep A Watch

Union Health Ministry on June 22 categorised the Delta Plus variant of the novel Covid-19 as a ‘variant of concern’.  It has been,  so far, detected in three states in the country. It directed states to take up immediate containment measures in clusters where the variant has been detected. The decision comes after INSACOG informed the Centre on June 22 that the Delta Plus variant has three worrying characteristics, increased transmissibility, stronger binding in receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response. INSACOG is a consortium of 28 laboratories of the Health Ministry that is involved in genome sequencing.

Delta Plus variant or B.1.617.2.1 is closely related to the Delta Variant, a major contributor to the second wave of Covid-19 in India. Like Delta, the Delta Plus variant has mutation in the spike protein region of the RNA virus, which potentially makes it more transmissible. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan tweeted That The Delta Plus variant has been observed sporadically in Maharashtra, Kerala & MP with around 40 cases identified so far.