Kathmandu, July 2. On Thursday, the World Health Organisation(WHO) reported that the Delta strain(B.1.617.2 variant) of the Coronavirus is present in almost 100 countries around the globe. 

WHO has also warned that the highly transmissible Deltra strain can become a global threat in the coming months. It was originally found in India in late 2020. So far, it has been detected in thousands of samples from 96 countries, including Nepal.

Delta Variant

The Delta variant is the mutated lineage of the double mutant variant that triggered the dangerous second wave of infection in India. The double mutant variant (B.1.617) contains two mutations in their protein that may boost the ability to escape the body’s immune systems, increasing the possibility that it might infect the body more easily.

Delta Plus

Experts have warned that the delta variant can undergo further mutations and give birth to a more dangerous and resistant strain called “Delta Plus” or AY.1 variant.

In the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday(July 1, 2021), a sample from a 19-year-old girl tested positive for the Delta Plus variant. The sample has been forwarded for genome testing. 

Vaccines against Delta

Recently, Oxford University conducted a detailed comparative analysis of monoclonal antibodies in blood samples from recovered patients and vaccinated people. The researchers concluded that the AstraZeneca vaccine offers up to 90% protection against hospitalization. The Serum Institute of India is currently producing millions of doses of Astrazeneca developed vaccine under the brand name “Covishield”.

The United States-based National Institute of Health also confirmed that India’s indigenous vaccine “COVAXIN” offered high protection against the Delta variant.

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