Experts: Delta Plus Variant Has A Greater Impact In Lung Tissues Than Other Strains

By – Ashwathy Nair

On 11th June, a novel coronavirus variety known as Delta Plus was discovered. It was recently designated as a concern variation.
Delta plus has a higher affinity for the mucosal lining of the lungs than other types, however, it is unclear whether this causes harm or not.

The Delta plus variant of COVID-19 has a higher affinity for lung tissues than other strains, but this does not guarantee that it will be producing severe disease or be more transmissible, according to Dr N K Arora, leader of the NTAGI coronavirus working group.

On 11th June, a novel coronavirus variety known as Delta Plus was discovered. It was recently designated as a concern variation.

So far, 51 cases of Delta Plus have been discovered in 12 states, with Maharashtra reporting the highest number of cases.

When it comes to Delta Plus, the chairman of the COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) stated that the variant has a higher affinity for lung tissues than other coronavirus strains, but that this does not mean it will be inducing more severe disease or be more transmissible.

“Delta plus has a higher affinity for the mucosal lining of the lungs than other types, but it’s unclear whether this causes injury or not. It also doesn’t imply that this variety would be producing more severe sickness or that it will be more easily transmitted,” In an interview with PTI, Arora stated.

According to him, the impact of the Delta plus strain will only become obvious as additional cases are detected, but the condition appears to be minor in all individuals who received a single or double dosage of the vaccination.

“We have to keep a close eye on it and monitor its spread to ensure optimal transmission,” he said.

According to Arora, the number of Delta plus variant cases detected may be higher because there may be many asymptomatic persons who are carrying and propagating the virus despite having no COVID-19 symptoms.

“However, the essential aspect is that our genetic surveillance component detected it correctly and in a timely manner. Now, states have already been informed that it is a variety of concern that necessitates action, which means that numerous states have already begun developing micro plans for the regions where the virus has been found in order to restrict its spread. Clearly, vaccination rates in these areas will need to rise,” he stated In response to a question about whether the Delta plus variety can cause the third wave of coronavirus, Arora stated it’s too early to tell.

“Waves are connected to new variants or mutations, so there’s a chance because this is a new variant,” he added. “However, predicting if it will result in a third wave is difficult because it will be determined by two or three factors.”

“First and foremost, we had a vicious second wave in the last three months that is still going on; we are seeking that the number of cases is stuck at 50,000 over the last 8-10 days, while cases continue to emerge in some regions, so that wave has not gone down,” he said.

According to him, the community’s response to another variety will be influenced by the second wave, and the third wave will be determined by the fraction of the population infected in the second wave.

“If a substantial proportion of the population is infected, people may suffer a common cold-like sickness in the following wave, but not a major or fatal condition,” he explained.

“Secondly, vaccination — the speed with which we vaccinate…even a single dose is effective, and the way we’re planning, if we rapidly immunise, the possibility of a third wave becomes very low, because vaccine plus infection plus Covid appropriate behaviour will save us from the next wave, mitigate the next wave, and the third wave will not be able to cause the occurrence.”