NEW DELHI — The Delta Plus variant, which was identified on June 11, was recently classified as a variant of concern by the Indian Health Ministry last week.

The Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 has a greater affinity towards lung issues as compared to other strains, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) head Dr. N. K. Arora said, but it does not mean that it can cause severe lung disease or has higher transmissibility, he also clarified, according to a Hindustan Times report.

The Delta Plus variant, which was identified on June 11, was recently classified as a variant of concern by the Health Ministry on Tuesday. India has detected 51 cases of Delta Plus across 12 states with Maharashtra reporting maximum cases.

“Delta plus is having greater affinity to mucosal lining in the lungs, higher compared to other variants, but if it causes damage or not is not clear yet.

“It also does not mean that this variant will cause more severe disease or it is more transmissible,” Dr. Arora was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

He also pointed out that the disease is generally mild in all those who have vaccinated with either a single or double dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Talking about Delta plus, the chairman of COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) said it has been found that the variant has greater affinity to lung tissues as compared to other strains of coronavirus but clarified that it does not mean the Delta Plus variant will cause more severe disease or is more transmissible.

He said the impact of the Delta plus strain will become clear only as more cases are identified but it appears that the disease is generally mild in all those who have got either single or double dose of the vaccine, according to The Mint.

"We need to keep a very close watch and look at its spread so that it will give us transmission efficiency," he said. Arora said the number of cases identified of Delta plus variant may be more as there may be many asymptomatic individuals also — those who do not have any COVID-19 symptoms but they are carrying the virus and spreading it. — Agencies