21 cases of Delta plus variant found in Maha

June 22, 2021 02:01

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday said 21 cases of the 'Delta plus' variant of COVID-19, considered highly infectious, have been found in the state so far.

Talking to reporters, Tope said the highest nine cases were reported in Ratnagiri followed by seven in Jalgaon, two in Mumbai and one case each in Palghar, Thane and Sindhudurg districts.

He said 7,500 samples from different parts of the state were collected and sent for laboratory testing.

These samples were collected since May 15 and their genome sequencing was done, the minister said.

Genome sequencing allows the tracking of small mutations in SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19, meaning chains of transmission can be identified.

The scientific process also assists in identifying missing links in the chain of transmission.

Tope said complete information about the people detected with the 'Delta plus' variant is being sought -- their travel history, whether they were vaccinated or not and if they were reinfected.

Their contacts are being traced and tested, the health minister said, adding information on mutation of Delta and Delta plus variants is also being scrutinised.

Last week, the state health department made a presentation where it said the newly identified Delta plus' variant may trigger a third wave of the pandemic in Maharashtra.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, state COVID-19 task force members and health department officials had attended the presentation. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Elon Musk postpones India visit; cites Tesla 'obligations' as reason

American tech billionaire Elon Musk on Saturday said his proposed visit to India has been postponed due to "very heavy Tesla obligations". The electric carmaker Tesla CEO -- who was expected to be in India on April 21 and 22 and...

What We Can Expect From SRK-Suhana's Film

Shah Rukh Khan is all set to star with his daughter Suhana in a film to be directed by Sujoy Ghosh.

If there's anything that will stop Dhoni, it will be...

Amazed by Mahendra Singh Dhoni's longevity, former India batter Robin Uthappa says the Chennai Super Kings talisman's "mind is staying up to date" and the only thing that could end his prolonged run in competitive cricket is his body.

Amitbhai Is Ready For Battle!

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Amit A Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and G Kishan Reddy filed nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections on Friday, April 19, 2024.

IAF chief advocates public-private collaboration to explore space potential

In his address, the air chief marshal underlined that with a massive surge of new technologies and opening up of space to private players, there is a "disruption in the established scheme of things".