Delta, its sub-lineages are of concern, says govt as India records 40 cases of Delta Plus variant: Top points

Amid a rise in Delta Plus variant cases of Covid-19, the Centre has declared Delta Plus and Delta variant as well as all sub-lineages including Delta Plus as variant of concern (VOC). Maharashtra government has also initiated preventive measures to contain the spread of the Delta Plus variant in the state.

The Union Health Ministry has said around 40 cases of Delta Plus, classified as a variant of concern (VOC), have been detected in India so far. These cases of Delta Plus variant of Covid-19 have been reported in Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. “As of now, among the samples sequenced (45000+) in India, Delta Plus variant -- AY.1 --has been observed sporadically in Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, with around 40 cases identified so far and no significant increase in prevalence,” the Union Ministry said in its statement. Mysuru reported the first case of the Delta Plus variant of Covid-19 in Karnataka on Wednesday.