Niti Aayog Member (Health) VK Paul said that the newly detected Delta Plus variant is not yet classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC) but only as a Variant of Interest (VOI). The variant was brought into the public domain on June 13 after it was observed in Europe in March.
"The present status is that yes, a new variant has been found. This is as of now a Variant of Interest (VoI), not as yet classified a VoC," Paul clarified. VOC are variants with increased transmissibility or virulence with a high potential for adverse consequences to humanity. "We do not know at this moment about the Delta Plus variant," he added.
Paul added we must watch the potential presence of Delta Plus in the country and take appropriate public health response while also watching the effect of the variant scientifically as it has been found outside the country.
"We need to monitor it through The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) in order to assess and detect its potential presence and growth in our country. This is the way forward in relation to the virus," said Paul, while adding that the system will watch and study this variant.
Stressing the importance of infection control and containment measures and behaviour, he said, "Remember that there is no way that we can shoot these variants away, to use any precision weapon to ensure that they don't appear in future. What we need to do is to monitor, understand their behaviour and mount an appropriate response, being conscious of their effects on us. The appropriate response includes the same principles, namely containment measures and Covid appropriate behaviour."
"One of the important tools to tackle any new variant is by following COVID Appropriate Behaviour. If we are able to address the root cause and break the chains of transmission, we will be able to contain the spread, whichever the variant maybe," he stressed.