The new variant of coronavirus named ‘Delta plus’ makes up 95% of the new cases here in the UK.
The ‘Delta plus’ variant is a new strain linked to the Delta Variant – the strain first identified in India.
It has been dubbed the 'Delta plus' variant because it is the same as the Delta variant, but with an additional mutation.
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Every virus mutates over time, changes are usually small and make little impact on the way the virus spreads but occasionally a virus may mutate in a way that gives it an advantage.
The latest coronavirus variant has spread to around 12 countries including the US and the UK.
The new variant was first observed in India on April 5 th .
Using extreme caution, the World Health Organisation has urged fully vaccinated people to continue wearing masks were appropriate.
“Once you’ve been fully vaccinated, continue to play it safe because you could end up as part of a transmission chain. You may not actually be fully protected. Sometimes the vaccines don’t work,” Bruce Aylward, WHO senior adviser, said at a news conference.
While the new ‘Delta plus’ variant isn’t yet common, the Indian Health Ministry designated it a Variant of Concern on June 22, due to its increased transmissibility and its ability to “bind more strongly to receptors on lung cells” and its potential to evade an antibody response.
On Monday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said not only does the new ‘Delta plus’ “spread more easily” but that evidence also pointed to a higher number of those who have not been vaccinated needing hospital treatment – compared to the previously dominant Alpha version.
The early results from studies reveal antibodies from those who are vaccinated can stop some Delta Plus variants but scientists are just beginning to study these new mutations.
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