Govt is fully prepared, says Anil Vij after first case of Delta Plus variant reported in Faridabad

After the first case of the Delta Plus variant was reported in Faridabad, Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij on Saturday said that the state government is fully prepared for it.

While speaking to the media Vij said, "The government is prepared. We have given orders that 100 per cent of the contacts of the person be tested and genome sequencing be done."

According to the sources, India has over 50 cases of Delta Plus variant, with multiple cases detected in three States - Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra. It has been also traced in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan

Although there is no data as of now which shows that the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 is spreading faster than Delta but the former should also be treated as a "variant of concern", said Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar, former Head Scientist of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, ICMR on Saturday.

The Union Health Ministry has warned States that the Delta Plus variant, which is currently a "variant of concern", has increased transmissibility, causes stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and has the potential of reducing monoclonal antibody response.

Terming Delta Plus as 'one of the most critical mutations', Dr Gangakhedkar stated, "There is another mutation that has been seen which is called P871R. This particular mutation is actually one of the most critical mutations which have not seen so far."

The sources further said that deaths of two Covid-19 patients positive for the Delta Plus variant have been reported in Madhya Pradesh so far, both of whom had not taken vaccines. The Delta Plus Covid-19 positive cases reported are from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jammu, and Karnataka.

( With inputs from ANI )