No sufficient data to be alarmed about Delta Plus variant: Maharashtra Covid task force member

Mumbai, June 23

Maharashtra Covid task force member Dr Shashank Joshi on Wednesday said there is no sufficient data available to be alarmed about the 'Delta Plus' variant of coronavirus.

He said people needed to adhere to Covid prevention guidelines and wear masks, avoid crowds and get vaccinated.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday had said 21 cases of the Delta Plus variant, considered highly infectious, had been found in the state so far, including nine in Ratnagiri, seven in Jalgaon, two in Mumbai, and one case each in Palghar, Thane and Sindhudurg districts.

Dr Joshi in a tweet on Wednesday said, "Delta plus variant of concern does not have sufficient data to be alarmed except that we must continue our strict Covid-appropriate behaviour with double mask, avoid crowds and continue vaccination.”  

The new Delta Plus variant has been formed due to a mutation in the Delta or B.1.617.2 variant, first identified in India and one of the drivers of the deadly second wave.

Some cases of the Delta Plus variant have also been found in Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. PTI