WHO's alert on Delta+ variant: AIIMS director address some important questions

The renewed concern over the burgeoning growth of the Delta variant has triggered panic among the people. Now, the new variant of the highly infectious form of the virus first detected in India has forced people to take extra measures to cut down the rate of infection. Branded as the variant of concern by the Union Health Ministry, the Delta+ mutant is said to cause serious symptoms and unfazed from the vaccination. Contrary to this, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria recently in a press conference stated that there isn’t much data on the new variant to suggest it’s more infectious, or will cause more deaths, or has developed a significant immune escape mechanism. He answered some concerning questions about the mutant virus which can help clarify the confusion about it.

The AIIMS chief said that there is not much option available on the Delta+ variant that could suggest that it is more infectious, causing more deaths, or has developed a significant immune escape mechanism. So worrying about the variant beforehand is just unnecessary.

Dr Gulera said that even if the virus is infectious, following proper coronavirus norms like wearing masks, maintaining social distance, cleaning hands and getting vaccinated can cut down the risk of infection. The pandemic is far from over right now and any kind of carelessness can cost a lot.

The mutant of the Delta variant is now active in more than 100 countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in its weekly Epidemiological Update warned that in the coming months the highly transmissible strain of the coronavirus will become the dominant strain across the globe. The world body also noted that social measures, infection prevention and control measures that have been in use ever since the beginning of the coronavirus remain effective against the variants of concern (VOCs), including the Delta variant.

The Delta variant or B.1.617.2 is largely being held responsible for the second wave of coronavirus in India. It was first identified in India and later mutated into the variants AY.1 and AY.2.

The division of the Delta variant has been termed the Delta Plus variant. This new mutant strain has infected several people in the country and continues to evolve. As per researchers, the Delta Plus is formed as a result of Delta acquiring a mutation called K417N in the spike protein.

As per the expert, even one dose of Covidshiled is 70 per cent effective in protecting from severe symptoms and hospitalisation against the Delta variant. But it is still unclear whether it can provide the same level of protection against the Delta+ variant. Still, vaccination is the only method of protection against the deadly coronavirus. Until the time valid information is not available on this new mutant it is better to take all the safety measures to stay disease-free.