New Delhi: India to gear up for a new challenge as the Union Health Ministry reported the detection of 40 cases of the Delta Plus Variant.
On Tuesday, a statement issued by the Union Health Ministry stated INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia) had informed that the Delta Plus variant, “currently a variant of concern (VOC)”, has these characteristics — increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response.
The Union Health Minister has advised Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to strictly follow COVID behaviour. The State’s Chief Secretaries have been advised to take up immediate containment measures in the districts and clusters including preventing crowds and intermingling of people, widespread testing, prompt tracing as well as vaccine coverage on a priority basis.
As per the data released by the government, 21 cases in Maharashtra, six in MP, three in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, two in Karnataka and One each in Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu have been identified.
According to INSACOG, the Delta Plus shows “increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potentially reduced monoclonal antibody response”.
Mutation of the B.1.617.2 variant; the delta plus variant is speculated to show resistance to the existing treatment protocol for COVID.
India is among the 10 countries where the Delta Plus mutation has been found so far. Besides India, the Delta Plus variant has been found in the US, UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, China and Russia.