No active Delta Plus cases in Andhra Pradesh: Health Minister Alla Nani

A new variant of COVID-19, Delta Plus, has been detected in some states, including AP, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Nani said, "Andhra Pradesh detected its first Delta Plus case in Tirupati some days ago. The patient was successfully treated and discharged," said Alla Nani. He further said there were no active Delta Plus cases in the state at present. "People need not worry about Delta Plus," he added.

The minister said the state was ready to face the third wave of COVID-19, in case it hits AP and added that Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy would take the final decision on the continuation of curfew in the state.

Meanwhile, during a press conference on Friday, the health ministry said that 48 Delta Plus cases have been reported in 11 states. Maharashtra reported the maximum number of cases, 20, followed by Tamil Nadu with nine cases and Madhya Pradesh with seven cases. Kerala reported three Delta Plus cases while Punjab and Gujarat reported two each, and Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Jammu saw one each.

Two days ago the government had said 40 Delta Plus cases have been registered in the country. It however said this time the spread is still "very localized". The virus strain has been isolated and is being cultured by the ICMR-National Institute of Virology. Tests are being conducted to check its resistance to existing COVID-19 vaccines, the government added.