Exclusive: Delta plus variant may bypass immunity provided by both vaccines or an earlier infection: Doctor

Delta plus variant has a greater affinity to lung tissues as compared to other strains of Coronavirus but clarified that it does not mean the Delta Plus variant will cause more severe disease or is more transmissible. This more contagious version of the virus has been spreading rapidly throughout different parts of the world. There’s also the concern that this variant may be more adept at attacking lung cells causing more severe disease.

New Delhi: The latest Delta plus variant of COVID-19 has been detected in 12 states in India with more than 51 cases detected from over 45,000 samples sequenced so far in the country. This variant was first seen in Europe in March this year. It was, however, brought into the public domain only in June. Eleven countries have reported this variant so far. Delta plus is suspected to bypass immunity provided by both vaccines or an earlier infection by experts. Research is going on across the world to better understand this new variant. In India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) have decided to carry out a study to check if the newly found Delta Plus variant (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1), can be neutralized by the vaccines present.