Mumbai: Maharashtra on Friday documented its first death due to the Delta Plus Variant. An 80-year-old woman succumbed to the infection, informed state health minister Rajesh Tope. The deceased- identified as a resident of Ghatkopar is reported to have been combating co-morbidities prior to her infection with the mutated strain.
Mr. Tope, speaking in Jalna, said that of the 21 ‘Delta plus patients identified thus far in seven districts across Maharashtra, only one had succumbed to the infection; the others were stable and some had been discharged from hospital.
Earlier, the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19, which has been termed as a “variant of concern”, had claimed the lives of six people in Madhya Pradesh.
Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackrey cautioned the state health department to monitor the slightest rise in COVID-19 cases and upgrade the health infrastructure in view of the prevailing second wave, the Delta plus variant of the virus and the threat of the third wave. He also said that more field hospitals should be set up and planning for it should be done by identifying buildings and premises.
So far, the state reported 20 cases of the Delta plus variant. The first one was reported in April this year amid the second wave of Covid 19.
The highest number of Delta plus variant cases have been found in Ratnagiri, followed by seven in Jalgaon, two in Mumbai, and one case each in Palghar, Thane and Sindhudurg districts.