For a while, everyone was hopeful that the COVID-19 virus may have reached its peak mutation and may not see further mutations after the Delta variant.
Those hopes have been dashed with the Delta variant — although still the dominant variant globally and dubbed a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO) — mutating into a subvariant dubbed ‘Delta plus’ or AY.4.2.
But officials say there is no reason for people to panic while they closely monitor the new strain, first detected in the UK.
How is the new subvariant different?
“Delta plus” includes two mutations, Y145H and A222V, to the spike protein, which the virus uses to penetrate our cells.
It is reported to be 10-15% more transmissible than the Delta variant but there is no indication yet that it’s significantly more transmissible.
How frequently does the COVID-19 virus mutate?
According to research, the COVID-19 virus has mutated multiple times since cases were first detected in Wuhan, China. But most mutations are usually harmless.
In which countries has the subvariant been found?
The “Delta plus” strain has been found in at least 6 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the UK. Following detection of the subvariant in new cases, some doctors have urged for restrictions to be reimposed. A few cases have been detected in the US.
Israel said it had found the AY.4.2 variant in an 11-year-old boy. Russia too has recorded isolated cases of the AY.4.2 variant. The new strain’s spread in Europe is not yet clear.
Is it more dangerous than Delta?
Although being closely monitored, the AY.4.2 has not been classified by the WHO as a “variant under investigation” or a “variant of concern”, which are strains considered more severe or transmissible.
Following are the major COVID-19 variants:
* Alpha (B.1.1.7), first detected in the UK
* Beta (B.1.351), first detected in South Africa
* Gamma (P.1), first detected in Brazil
* Delta (B.1.617.2), first detected in India
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