While the nation is struggling to overcome the havoc wreaked by the second wave of coronavirus pandemic, another Covid-19 variant emergence has pushed people in the state of worry.

21 fresh cases of Delta-plus variant have been found in Maharashtra so far, confirmed State Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday.

The delta-plus variant is a mutant of the Delta variant that spread the second wave of the contagious infection in India.

The new Delta plus variant (B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1) has been found in samples collected from few districts of Maharashtra. According to the reports, these districts were Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Palghar, and Jalgaon, according to reports.

"On Delta plus variant, I want to say, Maharashtra took a decision on genome sequencing and 100 samples were collected from every district...since May 15, we have collected over 7,500 samples, and we have found 21 cases," he said.

So far, 9 cases linked to the new variant have been found in Ratnagiri, 7 in Jalgaon, 2 in Mumbai, while 1 each in Palghar, Sindhudurg, and Thane, added the minister.

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Moreover, the authorities are trying to trace the contacts of those who infected with the mutant of Delta variant, which spread like a fire across the globe.

The government is also expected to assess their travel history, their vaccination status, whether they have been re-infected, and if they got infected despite vaccination to analyze more about the Delta Plus mutant.

In the past week, NITI Aayog member Dr. VK Paul said, 'Delta Plus' variant had been around since March this year and initially it was not a variant of concern. However, the information regarding the new variant upon its detection was submitted to the global data system.  

However, as of now, the Delta Plus variant is not a matter of concern but it could be if Covid-19 appropriate behavior will not be religiously followed.

"The present status is that yes, a new variant has been found. This is as of now a Variant of Interest (VoI), not as yet classified as a Variant of Concern (VoC). VoC is one in which we have understood that there are adverse consequences to humanity, which could be due to increased transmissibility or virulence.We do not know at this moment this about the Delta Plus variant," Dr Paul had stated.

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