How DANGEROUS is Delta Plus variant of COVID-19? What are its characteristics? Find all answers here

How Dangerous is the Delta Plus Variant of COVID-19: The Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 has been identified as a variant of concern (VOC).  A statement issued by the Union Health Ministry on June 23, 2021, said, "The Delta Plus variant has been observed sporadically in Maharashtra, Kerala & MP with around 40 cases identified so far. These States have been advised for strengthening surveillance & public health measures." The cases of these Delta Plus variants have been a cause of concern among the people. There are also several queries among the people regarding the nature and the strength of this variant.

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On Thursday, Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang said that five persons have so far been found infected with the ''Delta Plus'' variant of coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh and one of them has died, reported PTI. The minister informed that so far three persons from Bhopal and two from Ujjain have been found infected with the Delta Plus variant in Madhya Pradesh.

What is the Delta Plus variant?

INSACOG is an Indian consortium of 28 labs established by the central government to carry out Whole Genome Sequencing in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. According to the statement from the Union Ministry of Health, INSACOG has reported the evolution of Delta plus variant (B.1.617.2) + K417N lineage of SARS-CoV2 called as B.1.617.2.1/ AY.1. The Delta plus variant B.1.617.2.1/ (AY.1) is characterised by the K417N mutation in spike protein. The spike protein aids the virus to gain receptor-mediated entry into human cells.

K417N corresponds to the change of amino acid lysine (K) to asparagine (N) at the 417th position of spike protein. There are other Delta plus variants with other mutations. The mutations help the virus to become either more transmissible or more virulent or both. With time these mutations known as Variants of Interest (VOI) increase in frequency in the selected population and are considered then as VOC.

Characteristics of the Delta Plus variant

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhusan has written to the chief secretaries of Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra, requesting them to take up immediate containment measures in the districts where Delta Plus variant has been detected. In his letter, he has highlighted the characteristics of this VOC as intimated by INSACOG. The characteristics are as follows:

1) Increased transmissibility

2) Stronger binding to receptors of lung cells

3) Potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response