This Maharashtra district reports highest number of Delta Plus variant cases
- Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday stated 21 cases of the Delta Plus variant, considered highly infectious, have been found in the state so far
- Nine found in Ratnagiri, seven in Jalgaon, two in Mumbai, and one case each in Palghar, Thane and Sindhudurg districts
Maharashtra government stated that out of the 21 cases of the Delta Plus COVID variant found in the state, as many as 9 cases were detected in Ratnagiri.
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday 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.
Meanwhile, noting that the Delta Plus variant is still classified as a variant of concern, a state COVID task force team member said there there is no sufficient data available to be alarmed about it yet. He added, people need to adhere to COVID-19 prevention guidelines and wear masks, avoid crowds and get vaccinated.
On Wednesday, COVID-19 task force member Dr Shashank Joshi took to Twitter to say, "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, transmission may be more,” he added.
Delta Plus is resistant to monoclonal antibody cocktail treatment: Govt
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, Bhushan had said.
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First Published:23 Jun 2021, 11:58 AM IST
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