The Delta coronavirus
variant, first discovered in India and behind the country’s explosive second COVID wave, has mutated into the Delta Plus. The Delta variant has become globally
dominant with cases surging in Europe and the United States, while the threat from
the Delta Plus strain is relatively unknown.

How are Delta and Delta Plus different?

The Delta variant,
also known as the B.1.617.2, is categorised as a “variant of concern” by the
WHO. Properties of the Delta Plus variant, also known as B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1, are
not yet known but it is still treated as a variant of concern.

AY.1 cases have
been reported from nine countries in Asia, Europe and America, according to
India’s COVID genome sequencing consortium, Hindustan Times reported.

Also Read | COVID-19: How vaccines work against the Delta variant 

The two
strains are differentiated by the K417N mutation in the spike protein, a prominent
feature of the Delta Plus variant.

Delta was
first reported in India, but Delta Plus was first reported in the UK, by the
Public Health England on its June 11 bulletin.

How many cases of Delta and Delta Plus are
there across the world?

Delta cases
have surged across the UK, with reports saying it is responsible for 99% of the
country’s cases. Russia has also warned of a “explosive situation” concerning
Delta cases, while the variant makes up for 20% of the cases in the US.

Meanwhile, a
total of 205 cases of the Delta Plus variant have been reported worldwide as of
June 18, according to HT.  The US and the UK reported more than half the known
cases.

A total of 40 confirmed cases have been found in India as of June 23.

Is Delta Plus more transmissible than Delta?

Experts in India
are concerned Delta Plus may cause a third wave in the country. While the
variant shows a resistance to the monoclonal antibody cocktail therapy, an
expert committee has said it does not mean that the variant is more
transmissible or virulent.