Delta variant one of the prime reasons behind second wave in India

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Coronavirus Second Wave India (Image: Unsplash)
Coronavirus Second Wave India (Image: Unsplash)

New Delhi : The Delta variant of COVID-19, or the B1.617.2, has been found as one of the prime reasons behind second wave in India, an expert panel found on Friday.

A study on finding the reasons behind deadly second wave of coronavirus in India was done by scientists of INSACOG (the consortium of labs undertaking genome sequencing in India) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

According to the findings in the study, the B.1.617 variant and its lineage B.1.617.2 were primarily responsible for uncontrolled surge in the number of coronavirus cases in India. The study found that this variant was 50 per cent more contagious than the alpha variant or B.1.1.7.

On Thursday, health officials in Britain said that the Delta variant has now become the dominant VOC in the UK as infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431.

Public Health England (PHE) monitors different variants of coronavirus; it said that Delta variant has now overtaken alpha.

“The way to tackle variants is to tackle the transmission of COVID-19 as a whole. Work from home where you can, and practice hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times. If you are eligible and have not already done so, please come forward to be vaccinated and make sure you get your second jab. It will save lives,” PHE said.