The United Kingdom and Israel are seeing a surge in Covid-19 infections due to a new descendant of the Delta variant AY.4.2, also called the "Delta Plus" variant. AY.4.2 delta "sub-lineage reportedly accounted for approximately 6 percent of all sequences generated, on an increasing trajectory".

While Delta is the UK's dominant variant, AY.4.2 delta sub-lineage is currently increasing in frequency. It includes spike mutations A222V and Y145H, which might give the virus survival advantages, according to the latest report from the UK Health Security Agency. "Delta remains the predominant variant... a Delta sub-lineage newly-designated as AY.4.2 is noted to be expanding in England. It is now a signal in monitoring and assessment has commenced," it added.

Although tests are on the go to understand how much of a threat this Delta sub-variant may pose, experts say it is unlikely to take off in a big way or escape current vaccines, the BBC reported. The British government is keeping a very close eye on rising levels of Covid-19 infections, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesperson said on Tuesday. Last Sunday, Scott Gottlieb, a former US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, called for research into the sub-variant.

The UK reported its biggest single-day Covid-19 case increase in 3 months just as the new delta variant AY.4 with the S:Y145H mutation in the spike reaches eight per cent of UK sequenced cases.

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