Take measures to contain spread of Delta Plus variant: Centre to Tamil Nadu

The Centre has advised Tamil Nadu government to take immediate measures against the spread of Delta plus variant of the Covid-19 in Madurai, Chennai and Kanchipuram districts

In a letter to Chief Secretary V.Irai Anbu, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said INSACOG -- a Consortium of Laboratories for whole genome sequencing in the context of Covid-19 pandemic -- has cleared that Delta plus variant is a Variant of Concern (VOC), therefore its spread should be kept in check in order to avoid the third wave of coronavirus infection.

The new variant has the characteristics of increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response, Bhushan said.

In the advisory, he asked the Stalin government to impose stringent measures in the said three districts where the spread of the virus has been detected. The Union Health Secretary has also asked the state government to ensure that adequate samples of positive persons are sent promptly to the designated laboratories of INSACOG for the genome sequencing.

The Centre had earlier said that the Delta Plus have been found in 12 states in the country and currently, there are 51 confirmed cases of the new strain. Maharashtra with 22 such cases is leading the tally.