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Covid-19 Delta Plus Variant

Covid-19 Delta Plus Variant:

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), has warned people against the new Covid-19 strain ‘Delta Plus’ (DP).

  • There is fear that this new variant may spark the third wave of Covid-19.
  • Delta plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus formed due to a mutation in the Delta strain of the virus (B.1.617.2 variant).
  • It is technically the next generation of SARS-COV-2.
  • This mutant of Delta was first detected in Europe in March 2021.
  • The Delta variant that was first detected in India (in February 2021) eventually became a huge problem for the whole world.
  • However, the Delta Plus variant, at present, is limited to smaller areas in the country.
  • It is resistant to monoclonal antibodies cocktail.
  • Since it’s a new variant, its severity is still unknown.
  • People reported symptoms like headaches, sore throats, runny noses, and fever.
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) is tracking this variant as part of the Delta variant, it is doing so for other Variants of Concern with additional mutations.
  • Transmissibility: It has acquired the spike protein mutation called K417N which is also found in the Beta variant first identified in South Africa.
  • The spike protein is used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid-19, to enter the host cells.
  • Some scientists fear that the mutation combined with other existing features of the Delta variant could make it more transmissible.