Shazneen Mistry
The new variant of corona-virus, Delta Plus, has been increasing in numbers as they are considered highly transmissible. This variant has been seen affecting people more aggressively during covid-19’s second wave and could be the cause for the third wave.
The cases in Maharashtra have risen to 103 after 27 new infections were reported in the state, according to the health department. The department said that of the new 27 Delta Plus cases, six each were detected in Gadchiroli and Amravati, five in Nagpur, four in Ahmednagar, three in Yavatmal, two in Nashik, and one in Bhandara district.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) believed that the Delta variant which according to the Union Health Ministry, fueled the second wave of the corona-virus pandemic in India, has been detected in 128 swab samples in Mumbai. The BMC said in the release said that out of 188 samples sent for genome sequencing at one of its facilities, 128 were found to have the Delta variant of the corona virus. Among other samples, two were found positive for the Alpha variant and 24 for the Kappa variant and the rest were of other strains of Covid-19, it said.
New genome sequencing facilities have been set up by the BMC at the Kasturba Hospital, in the Chinchpokli area. The civic body tested the first batch of samples at this facility and it was inaugurated by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on August 4. The civic body said it has received two genome sequencing machines donated by an American organization. At least 384 samples can be tested at the genome sequencing lab at a time and results can be made available within four days, it added.
Maharashtra recorded 3,643 new cases of Covid-19, which have taken the state's tally to 6,428,294. Mumbai saw 225 new Covid-19 cases and four fatalities, taking the city's death toll to 15,951. Maharashtra has seen 136,067 deaths so far and the number of active cases of Covid-19 currently stands at 49,924.
State health minister Rajesh Tope said that “All preparations are being undertaken to face the third wave of the corona-virus pandemic. We have also taken steps to fill the vacancies (of medical staff), ensure the maximum level of oxygen, additional budget as well as making available the medicines to face the surge in cases”.
In conclusion, we would only like to advise you to be safe and take care of your health. Maintain social distance, wear a mask, wash your hands and avoid going out. These are very difficult times that we are facing and it is our responsibility to take care of our-self and the people around us.
