Maharashtra’s Delta Plus cases surge to 45, from 21 in June
8K samples sent for genome sequencing; positivity rate for Delta Plus is less than 1% and Delta is 80%
MUMBAI : The number of Delta Plus cases in the state has surged to 45, from 21 in June, even as Maharashtra has begun relaxing certain lockdown restrictions.
The highest number of cases has been recorded in Jalgaon, followed by Ratnagiri and Mumbai, among others. The variant has also been identified among those below 18 years of age. Almost 80% of the samples sent for the sequencing have tested positive for the Delta variant. However, public health officers have observed no significant surge of the variant in these districts.
The Delta Plus (AY.1) is a mutation of the highly transmissible Delta variant of Sarscov-2 (B.1.617.2) and detected in the state during the second wave. In June, the union health ministry declared it a variant of concern.
As per the recent data provided by the state health department, Jalgaon has recorded 13 cases, Ratnagiri 11 cases, Mumbai 6, Thane 5, Pune 3 and one each in Palghar, Beed, Aurangabad, Sindhudurg, Nandurbar, Akola and Sangli.
In the second wave, which started in the middle of February, medical experts observed higher infection rate compared to the first wave. Since then, the public health department has been sending samples for genome sequencing on a monthly basis.
In the 42-60 age group, 14 patients have been identified. Also, five patients above 60 years of age have contracted the variant.
Genome sequencing is an exercise to study the changes to the structure of the virus over time. A combination of changes in the ribonucleic acid of the virus can give birth to a new variant. The samples from the state are sent for genome sequencing to the Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research-institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIRIGIB).
“So far, we have sent more than 8,000 samples for genome sequencing. While the positivity rate of Delta Plus is below 1%, almost 80% of the samples have tested positive for Delta,” said Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer.
However, there is a silver lining as medical experts haven’t observed any sudden surge in Delta Plus variants in Palghar, Thane, Sindhudurg and Mumbai districts, where the variant has been recorded.
“The variant has already spread to over 80 countries across the world, including the United Kingdom, United States of America, Singapore and southern China. It is more transmissible and causes group infections,” said Dr Subhas Salunke, state advisor to Covid-19 treatment. “It is essential that people get fully vaccinated and keep following Covid-appropriate behaviour. Citizens should keep wearing masks and get fully vaccinated before travelling,” he added.