51 Cases of 'Delta Plus Variant' Confirmed in 12 Indian States... 4 Deaths Reported

Analysis of 45,000 Samples Confirms Infection in 51 Individuals

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Indian health authorities have confirmed 51 cases of infection with the 'Delta Plus variant' based on COVID-19 sample analysis. There have also been 4 deaths reported.

According to local media such as the Hindustan Times on the 27th, the Indian National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported that as of the 25th, 51 cases of the Delta Plus variant were confirmed across 12 states. India consists of a total of 28 states and 8 union territories. Authorities analyzed 45,000 samples.

Among them, Maharashtra had the highest number of Delta Plus variant infections with 22 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu with 9, Madhya Pradesh with 7, Kerala with 3, and Punjab and Gujarat with 2 each. Additionally, 4 deaths due to the Delta Plus variant were recorded: 2 in Madhya Pradesh, and 1 each in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Sujit Kumar Singh, director of the National Centre for Disease Control, explained, "Whole genome analysis of the Delta Plus variant takes about 10 to 12 days, and more samples need to be examined." He added, "The name Delta Plus does not imply it is stronger than the Delta variant; more scientific research is needed." He also stated, "Since the Delta Plus variant has been sporadically and limitedly detected in India over the past three months, it is too early to consider it a widespread outbreak."

The Delta Plus variant is a form of the existing Delta variant, which is highly transmissible, with an additional mutation called 'K417N.' The K417N mutation has been found in the Beta variant originating from South Africa and the Gamma variant from Brazil. Because of this, experts are concerned that the Delta Plus variant may have stronger transmissibility and vaccine evasion capabilities than previous variants.

Meanwhile, on the same day, India reported 50,040 new daily COVID-19 cases and 1,258 deaths. The cumulative number of confirmed cases is approximately 30.23 million, and the total deaths are about 395,000.