Even those who have recovered from infection can be targeted despite the development of antibodies in their system.
The Maharashtra govt could bring back restrictions if the Delta Plus variant of Covid spirals out of control and triggers a third wave.
The Delta Plus variant of the virus has now been recognized by the centre as a Variant of Concern.
Another Lockdown Coming?
Some containment measures that have been advised to states include preventing mass gatherings and crowding, ramping up testing, contact tracing, and vaccination.
It is also being speculated that the state govt could impose uniform restrictions once again.
These restrictions are different from the current policy of graded unlocking, based on the oxygen bed occupancy rate and test positivity rate.
So far, 21 cases have been detected in 7 Maharashtra districts without any casualties.
Govt Working To Contain Cases
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that it is isolating and monitoring such cases and has collected relevant info such as travel history, contact tracing and if they have been vaccinated.
The samples of those infected by this variant have had their samples collected for genome sequencing.
It is these genomic sequencing studies that have first identified the Delta Plus variant.
So far, we know that the symptoms and process of treatment does not differ for this variant.
How Delta Plus Is Even More Dangerous
However, a troubling fact is that the variant could defy antibodies and thereby affect even vaccinated people.
Even those who have recovered from infection can be targeted despite the development of antibodies in their system.
The Union Health Ministry has found that this variant has increased transmissibility, binds strongly to lung cell receptors and weakens monoclonal antibody response.
It has also asked the Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala govts to immediately contain cases of the new variant as soon as it is detected.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) is also investigating whether the present available vaccines can challenge this more potent variant of Covid-19.
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