India says COVID Delta Plus ‘variant of concern’, 22 cases found

Variant first identified in Europe found in India’s Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh states, health ministry says.

India has declared a new coronavirus variant to be of concern after nearly two dozen cases had been detected across the country so far. The variant AY.1, identified locally as Delta Plus and first identified in Europe, has been found in at least 22 cases across Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh states, India’s health ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry said Delta Plus showed increased transmissibility and advised the three states to increase testing.