Highlights
- 21 cases of the Delta Plus variant were found in Maharashtra: Govt
- Besides India, Delta Plus has been found in US, UK, Portugal, Switzerland
- The Delta variant is found in 80 countries around the world
Mumbai: Maharashtra COVID-19 task force member Dr Shashank Joshi on Wednesday (June 23) said there is not sufficient data available to be alarmed about the ‘Delta Plus’ variant of coronavirus. He also said people need to adhere to COVID-19 prevention guidelines and wear masks, avoid crowds, and get vaccinated. Notably, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday (June 21) said 21 cases of the Delta Plus variant, considered highly infectious, have been found in the state so far, including nine in Ratnagiri, seven in Jalgaon, two in Mumbai, and one case each in Palghar, Thane and Sindhudurg districts.
Dr. Joshi in a tweet on Wednesday said,
Variant of concern, vaccine, and Panic. Delta plus variant of concern does not have sufficient data to be alarmed except that we must continue our strict COVID appropriate behaviour with double mask, avoid crowds and continue vaccination. Delta plus virulence unknown, the transmission may be more, he added.
The new Delta Plus variant has been formed due to a mutation in the Delta or B.1.617.2 variant, first identified in India and one of the drivers of the deadly second wave.
Though there is no indication yet of the severity of the disease due to the new variant, Delta Plus is resistant to the monoclonal antibody cocktail treatment for COVID-19 recently authorised in India.
Some cases of the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 have also been found in Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. India is among the 10 countries where the Delta Plus mutation has been found so far, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by the Union Health Ministry, INSACOG 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.
Besides India, the Delta Plus variant has been found in the US, UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, China and Russia. The Delta variant is found in 80 countries around the world, including India, and it is a variant of concern, Mr Bhushan had said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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