While the nation is struggling to overcome the havoc wreaked by the second wave ofcoronavirus pandemic, another Covid-19 variant emergence has pushed people inthe state of worry.
21 freshcases of Delta-plus variant have been found in Maharashtra so far, confirmedState Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday.
The delta-plus variant is a mutant of the Delta variant that spread the second wave of thecontagious infection in India.
The newDelta plus variant (B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1) has been found in samples collected fromfew districts of Maharashtra. According to the reports, these districts were Sindhudurg,Ratnagiri, Palghar, and Jalgaon, according to reports.
"On Delta plus variant, I want to say,Maharashtra took a decision on genome sequencing and 100 samples were collectedfrom every district...since May 15, we have collected over 7,500 samples, and wehave found 21 cases," he said.
So far, 9 cases linkedto the new variant have been found in Ratnagiri,7 in Jalgaon, 2 in Mumbai, while 1 each in Palghar, Sindhudurg, and Thane, addedthe minister.
Moreover,the authorities are trying to trace the contacts of those who infected with themutant of Delta variant, which spread like a fire across the globe.
The government is alsoexpected to assess their travel history, their vaccination status, whether they have been re-infected, and if they gotinfected despite vaccination to analyze more about the Delta Plus mutant.
In thepast week, NITI Aayog member Dr. VK Paul said, 'Delta Plus' variant had beenaround since March this year and initially it was not a variant of concern.However, the information regarding the new variant upon its detection wassubmitted to the global data system.
However,as of now, the Delta Plus variant is not a matter of concern but it could be ifCovid-19 appropriate behavior will not be religiously followed.
"The present status is that yes, a newvariant has been found. This is as of now a Variant of Interest (VoI), not asyet classified as a Variant of Concern (VoC). VoC is one in which we haveunderstood that there are adverse consequences to humanity, which could be dueto increased transmissibility or virulence.We do not know at this moment thisabout the Delta Plus variant," Dr Paul had stated.