Delta plus variant of Covid-19 | Third wave starts | Maharashtra | Tamil Nadu

    Delta plus variant of Covid-19 : The highly transmissible Delta plus variant of the coronavirus is present in at least 174 districts of the Indian country. Data released by the Ministry showed that the variant was present in 52 districts across the country in March, and had spread to 174 districts by June. There is a long list of new variants, the new mutant version of the Delta strain of Covid19 first detected in India, Delta Plus, has now been seen as a virulent type. 

    Cases of the new variant have started to spread in Maharashtra, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, the new mutant has also been detected in Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. There is fear that this new variant Delta Plus may spark the third wave of COVID-19. 

    Covid-19 vaccines such as Covaxin and Covishield are effective against variants of coronavirus like the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, the government asserted. Covishield, Covaxin effective against Delta variant.

Details about Delta Plus Mutant covid19 virus:

• The new Delta plus variant has been formed due to a mutation in the Delta or B.1.617.2 variant.
• One of the emerging variants is B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1 is characterized by the acquisition of K417N mutation.
• The mutation is in the spike protein of SARS-COV-2, which helps the virus to enter and infect the human cells.
• Delta plus was present in six genomes from India
• Since it’s a new variant, its severity is still unknown.

Delta Plus Mutant covid19 virus in Maharashtra:

    The Maharashtra government on June 25 issued new orders imposing uniform third level COVID-19 across the state irrespective of the positivity count and oxygen bed requirement. The additional restrictions were imposed after the Delta Plus variant of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in seven districts of the state. 

    The virus causing COVID-19 is undergoing mutations in various geographies and that these mutations are displaying more transmissibility and potential reductions in monoclonal antibody response. As of now, under level three restrictions, establishments dealing in essentials will be allowed to function till 4 pm on all days. The same would apply to establishments selling non-essential items. 

Delta Plus Mutant covid19 virus in Tamil Nadu:

    A nurse from Tamil Nadu, who had tested positive for Delta Plus variant has recovered according to the reports. Days after health ministry confirmed that the new variant of COVID-19 found is a variant of concern, a nurse from Chennai's Adyar was confirmed to be the first person  have been infected with the mammoth delta plus variant in May and has now recovered. 

    In order to control the delta plus virus, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced the extension of lockdown till July 5. He also advised every people to have their vaccine as soon as possible to protect us from this deadly virus.