Delta Plus Variant

Why in news?

Delta and Delta Plus variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are the new threats to India's fight against the ongoing pandemic which witnessed several milestones of success with new infections nose diving and the number of vaccinations going up.

Which variant caused second wave ?

The Delta version had largely responsible for the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India, the new, more virulent Delta plus variant is being feared for the  third wave. 

Delta Plus is a variant of Delta. As per the WHO the spike protein mutations make the Delta variant the “fastest and fittest” variant ..

The disease caused by this variant might also exhibit different symptoms than the other viral mutations.

About delta plus variant?

Can Delta plus Escapes Vaccines?

The two doses of the vaccine seem to be very protective.

Is Delta variant more deadly?

The most severe cases involving the Delta variant appear to be in unvaccinated people or those who are only partially vaccinated  .

It does seem to be a more dangerous variant.

Delta Plus resists monoclonal antibody cocktail therapy in which artificial antibodies are produced in the body.

Difference between Delta and Delta Plus

Delta plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus formed due to a mutation in the Delta strain of the virus (B.1.617.2 variant).

Delta (B.1.617.2) was first detected in India. It is a variant of concern and a variant of interest.

Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a variant of Delta, it is also treated as a variant of concern.

But the properties of the variant detected in India (AY.1) are still being investigated by India's Covid genome sequencing consortium.

Since it is still technically a new mutant strain, not much is known about its severity or resistance to antibodies.