India tags Delta plus as variant of concern

The Delta plus variant of Covid19 has been declared as a Variant of Concern (VOC) by India. These variants have increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response.

New Delhi: The Delta plus variant of Covid-19 has been declared as a variant of concern by India as 22 cases have been detected in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued guidelines for these states on an urgent basis.

“We have discussed the issue with the concerned state governments and accordingly guidelines have been issued on public health response,” said Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan. He said that these variants have been detected by Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG).

According to the health ministry, this variant has been found in genome sequenced samples from Ratnagiri and Jalgaon Districts of Maharashtra; Palakkad and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala and Bhopal and Shivpuri districts of Madhya Pradesh.

“The states were advised to ensure that adequate samples of positive persons are promptly sent to the designated laboratories of INSACOG so that clinical epidemiological correlations can be made for further guidance,” the ministry said.

It also said the government has been proactively working towards effective Covid-19 management by the sustained strengthening of multi-level health and testing infrastructure, and through focussed public health measures in active collaboration with the states.

“Union Health Ministry has from time to time alerted the State Governments on critical points in the trajectory of COVID-19 for implementing an effective Public Health Response,” the ministry said. As per the health ministry, these Delta plus variants have increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response.

The INSACOG is a consortium of 28 laboratories for whole-genome sequencing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. INSACOG is entrusted with not only whole-genome sequencing but also timely inputs provision on appropriate public health response measures to be adopted by the states and union territories.