The Delta Plus variant of the Covid-19 has been declared as a ‘Variant of Concern’ only by the Union Health Ministry and not by WHO or other countries of the world, said Odisha Health Expert Dr Niraj Mishra on Thursday (June 24). Mishra said that 40-41 cases of the variant have emerged in the country so far.
Thus we will have to wait for another 6-8 weeks to check its transmission rate. He further emphasized that the only way to attain protection against the new variant is expedited vaccination or attaining herd immunity. However, till then, people need to stay vigilant, the health expert cautioned.
The Central government is closely monitoring the Delta Plus cases to initiate timely and appropriate steps to prevent its spread. Moreover, sources said that the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing Consortia (INSACOG) will formally release the genomic surveillance report on Delta Plus variant soon.