‘Delta plus’ variant may trigger third COVID-19 wave

NEW DELHI: In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Uddhav Thackrey on Wednesday, June 16, it was presented that the highly virulent “Delta Plus” variant of SARS-CoV-2 could cause the third wave of COVID-19 in India. The official press release said that the number of positive patients can shoot up to eight lakhs and 10 per cent of them could be children.

The meeting was held in Mumbai to analyse the COVID-19 situation in the state and track preparations to tackle the third wave. The presentation made by the Department of Health, Government of Maharashtra, also showed the possibility of the fresh third wave of COVID-19 in Maharashtra. Thackrey directed officials to prepare for everything which might hit the state in terms of availability of medicines, beds and other medical assistance. He added that the authorities have learned from the first and second wave and the state is told that it will get around 42 crore jabs of vaccines from August- September.

The task force of the state also said that in some countries of the European Union (EU), the lockdown has been re-introduced following a surge in cases. Doctors in Delhi said earlier this week that the highly transmissible Delta variant has mutated and formed the “Delta Plus” variant, or ‘AY.1’. However, it is not an immediate cause of concern for India as its occurrence is low in the country.