Delta Plus May Not Be A Variant Of Concern Yet, But Maharashtra Fears 3rd Wave From The Strain

The newly identified strain of the highly transmissible and infectious delta variant of COVID-19 named as 'Delta Plus' or 'AY.1' variant is not yet classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC).

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.

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Not a Variant of Concern

According to NITI Aayog Member (Health) VK Paul, the way forward is to watch the potential presence of 'Delta Plus' in the country and take the appropriate public health response.

"The present status is that yes, a new variant has been found. This is as of now a Variant of Interest (VoI), not as yet classified a VoC," Paul clarified it in a Covid-19 media briefing.

The VOC is one in which we have understood that there are adverse consequences to humanity, which could be due to increased transmissibility or virulence, said Paul, adding "We do not know at this moment about the Delta Plus variant."

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Maharashtra prepares for 3rd wave

However, in Maharashtra, the health department has warned that the new variant could stoke a third wave in the state.

¡°The number of active patients could reach up to eight lakh, while 10 per cent out of them could be children,¡± said the presentation made by the state health department, as per an official release.

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The meeting was held to take stock of preparations to tackle a possible third wave of COVID-19 even as Maharashtra, the state worst hit by the pandemic, emerges out of a devastating second wave of the infection.

Besides Thackeray, health minister Rajesh Tope and members of the state task force on COVID-19 attended the meeting. The presentation made by the health department at the meet portrayed possible scenarios in case a fresh wave of infection hits Maharashtra.

The health department said there were 19 lakh cases in the first wave (post-March 2020 outbreak), while in the second wave (which started around mid-February 2021) so far, more than 40 lakh infections had been registered in Maharashtra.

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¡°The Delta plus variant could stoke a third wave in Maharashtra. It could spread at double the rate," said an official during the presentation.

Maharashtra was the worst hit in both the first and second waves of COVID-19.

3rd wave concerns

According to most scientists and health experts, the third wave of COVID-19 is inevitable in India and it is only a matter of when.

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In Maharashtra, the authorities there have said that the state could see the third wave in July or August.

One of the biggest worries health experts have about the delta plus variant is that COVID-19 vaccines available in the country may not be effective against the new strain.