India reports over 40 cases of Delta Plus variant from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
India reports 40 cases of Delta Plus variant of the novel coronavirus, most of the cases are from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
FollowNew Delhi: India reports 40 cases of Delta Plus which has been tagged as a "Variant of Concern" by the government. Most of the cases are from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Delta Plus variant is an emerging form of the Delta variant, the variant first detected in India.
These 40 cases were reported mostly from four major states - Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Based on the recent findings of INSACOG, the Union Health Ministry has alerted and advised Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh regarding the Delta Plus variant of Covid-19 being found in some districts in these States.
Union Health Secretary has communicated to these three states this variant has been found in genome sequenced samples from Ratnagiri and Jalgaon Districts of Maharashtra; Palakkad and Pathanamthitta Districts of Kerala; and Bhopal and Shivpuri Districts of Madhya Pradesh.
The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday categorised the Delta Plus variant as a ‘variant of concern’ and directed states to take up immediate containment measures in clusters where the variant has been detected.
In a press statement, the Ministry first referred to it as a ‘variant of concern’ then issued a correction calling it a ‘variant of interest’ and then again reverted to calling it a ‘variant of concern’.
A variant of concern (VoC) carries the highest threat perception of a coronavirus variant, which is characterised by increased infectivity, transmissibility or resistance to vaccines and treatment. A variant of interest (VoI) is a degree lower.
The States Chief Secretaries have been advised to take up immediate containment measures in the districts and clusters (as identified by INSACOG) including preventing crowds and intermingling of people, widespread testing, prompt tracing as well as vaccine coverage on a priority basis.
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