Considerable Number Of Post-COVID Vaccine Breakthrough Infections In India

New Delhi: The COVID-19 situation in India is improving as the reproduction rate of infection in India has dropped to 0.89. In other words, 100 coronavirus-infected patients are now spreading the virus to less than 100 people — 89 people to be precise.

The R-value had climbed to over 1.5 in some states during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in May-June.

The active cases is around 3.6 lakh, the lowest in 150 days.

However, the Indian SARS-CoV2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said the country is witnessing a considerable number of post-vaccine breakthrough infections and that the Delta variant is mostly responsible, after one or both doses of the COVID-19 jab.

At the same time, the vaccination drive is effective in reducing severe disease and death, according to INSACOG.

“Delta variant is the major VOC (variant of concern) in India at this time. Continuing outbreaks across India are attributable to Delta, a susceptible population, reduced vaccine effectiveness in blocking transmission and opportunities for transmission,” INSACOG said.

Kerala, which continues to be the hotspot in India with 20,000 daily cases, reported thousands of breakthrough infections, triggering concern that a new variant may be active in the state.

Amid ongoing investigation over possible new variants, experts have said that Delta is still driving coronavirus cases in India. The Delta Plus variant did cause a few deaths in Maharashtra, but it is not a strain to be worried about yet.