Zoom News : Jun 23, 2021, 06:16 AM
New Delhi. 21 cases of Delta Plus variant, which is considered to be highly contagious of Corona virus (Covid-19), have been found in Maharashtra. It is being warned by experts that this variant can cause the third wave of corona. Apart from Maharashtra, cases of this variant have been found in Kerala, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Although only 200 cases of this variant have been found so far all over the world, but 30 of them are from India.The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday considered the Delta Plus variant as a variant of concern. The Center said that the Delta Plus variant is being closely monitored. The Center has warned the states by writing a letter to deal with it.
Mutation of the delta variant (B.1.617.2)The new Delta Plus variant is a mutation of the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) that caused the second wave of corona in India. Apart from India, Delta+ has been found in 9 countries of the world so far. These countries are America, UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, China, Russia.
Highest number of cases in MaharashtraMaharashtra currently has the highest number of cases of the Delta + variant in India. Maharashtra also has the highest number of 9 cases in Ratnagiri, then 7 in Jalgaon, 2 in Mumbai and one each in Palghar, Thane and Sindhudurg. Three cases found in Kerala are from Palakkad and Pathanamthitta. One of these cases is of a four-year-old child.
'35-60% more contagious than the alpha version'Dr. Shubhradeep Karmakar of AIIMS has said that Delta Plus has additional mutant K417N, which converts Delta (B.1.617.2) to Delta Plus. He said there is speculation that this mutant is more infectious and that it is 35-60% more infectious than the alpha version. But in India its number is very less. It is still not a cause for concern and the cases of its infection are still low.
How effective are vaccinesScientists are still doing research on how effective the current vaccine is on this variant. However, the former director of the US Food and Drug Department has said in a conversation with cnbc.com that the vaccine may be effective on this variant as well. He said – mRNA vaccine is seen to be more effective (88 percent) on this. Whereas, viral vector vaccines appear to be relatively less effective (70 percent). Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca Vaccines are viral vector vaccines. Whereas Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines are mRNA vaccines.
May bring third wave in Maharashtra?The biggest concern is being expressed about the Delta+ variant in Maharashtra. It was told in a meeting by the state health department last week that this variant may cause third wave in the state. CM Uddhav Thackeray was also present in this meeting. It was also said that the number of active cases in the state could reach 8 lakhs. Ten percent of these may be children.
Does India need to worry?Health experts have warned that the Delta+ variant could cause the third wave in India. And it is possible that this variant can also trick the human immune system. As of now the presence of this variant is less in India. The Delta variant is the only one that is currently in effect in the country. However, it is not clear when the current low numbers will change.
Mutation of the delta variant (B.1.617.2)The new Delta Plus variant is a mutation of the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) that caused the second wave of corona in India. Apart from India, Delta+ has been found in 9 countries of the world so far. These countries are America, UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, China, Russia.
Highest number of cases in MaharashtraMaharashtra currently has the highest number of cases of the Delta + variant in India. Maharashtra also has the highest number of 9 cases in Ratnagiri, then 7 in Jalgaon, 2 in Mumbai and one each in Palghar, Thane and Sindhudurg. Three cases found in Kerala are from Palakkad and Pathanamthitta. One of these cases is of a four-year-old child.
'35-60% more contagious than the alpha version'Dr. Shubhradeep Karmakar of AIIMS has said that Delta Plus has additional mutant K417N, which converts Delta (B.1.617.2) to Delta Plus. He said there is speculation that this mutant is more infectious and that it is 35-60% more infectious than the alpha version. But in India its number is very less. It is still not a cause for concern and the cases of its infection are still low.
How effective are vaccinesScientists are still doing research on how effective the current vaccine is on this variant. However, the former director of the US Food and Drug Department has said in a conversation with cnbc.com that the vaccine may be effective on this variant as well. He said – mRNA vaccine is seen to be more effective (88 percent) on this. Whereas, viral vector vaccines appear to be relatively less effective (70 percent). Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca Vaccines are viral vector vaccines. Whereas Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines are mRNA vaccines.
May bring third wave in Maharashtra?The biggest concern is being expressed about the Delta+ variant in Maharashtra. It was told in a meeting by the state health department last week that this variant may cause third wave in the state. CM Uddhav Thackeray was also present in this meeting. It was also said that the number of active cases in the state could reach 8 lakhs. Ten percent of these may be children.
Does India need to worry?Health experts have warned that the Delta+ variant could cause the third wave in India. And it is possible that this variant can also trick the human immune system. As of now the presence of this variant is less in India. The Delta variant is the only one that is currently in effect in the country. However, it is not clear when the current low numbers will change.