Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 25

After Covid's Delta Plus variant cases were reported in the state, the Centre asked the state health department to become more focused and stringent in its response.

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In a letter to state's Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan today, Union Health Secertary Rajesh Bhushan said: “It has been intimated by Consortium of Laboratories INSACOG that the Delta Plus variant has increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response. This variant has been found in Patiala and Ludhiana districts of Punjab.”

He said the public health response in this case, while broadly remaining the same, had to be more focused and stringent. “So, you are requested to take up immediate containment measures in these districts and clusters, including preventing crowds and intermingling of people, widespread testing, prompt tracing as well as vaccine coverage on a priority basis,” he said.

The Centre has also requested the Chief Secretary to ensure that adequate samples of positive persons were sent to the designated laboratories of INSACOG promptly so that the clinical epidemiological correlations could be established.