Three sub-lineages of Delta-plus in circulation in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: Three sub-lineages of the Delta-plus variant of the Sars-CoV-2 virus are currently in circulation in the state, which, experts said, called for more epidemiological analysis to understand their impact on ongoing viral transmission. The recent genome sequencing reports have shown the presence of 66 cases of Delta-plus in the state, which include sub-lineages Ay.1, Ay.2 and Ay.3.

The highly transmissible Delta variant mutated into Delta-plus, formed due to Delta acquiring an additional mutation called K417N in the spike protein, which enhances attachment of the virus to infected cells. Now, scientists have found 13 more sub-lineages of the Delta-plus stain starting from Ay.1, Ay.2, Ay.3 all the way till 13. In Maharashtra, the first three sub-lineages have been found so far. Initial data had found Delta-plus resistant towards monoclonal antibodies cocktail treatments. There is little evidence till now to show it is as transmissible as Delta, which continues to be the dominant variant.

In Mumbai, 11 cases, including the death of a 63-year-old from eastern suburb, have been reported. From the deceased’s family, six contacts tested positive for Covid-19. Among them, two were also found positive for Delta-plus. One of the contacts was a family member and another a househelp, who was a slum resident.