Seven cases of new Delta variant AY.4.2 were reportedly detected in Indore in a genome sequencing report released from the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC). Out of 7, 2 people infected are Army officers posted in the Mhow Cantonment, as stated by the Indore chief medical and health officer Dr BS Saitya.

India’s Covid genomic surveillance project is on high alert after cases of a sublineage of SARS CoV 2’s delta variant have been detected in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The new Delta AY.4 variant has also been detected in 1 per cent samples in Maharashtra, according to report

The scientists have pointed out that the new variant may be more contagious and even more transmissible than the delta strain. "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 an indication in monitoring and assessment has commenced," the report said.

The new variant, called AY. 4.2, has now been declared as the ‘variant under Investigation’ in the UK. The AY.4.2 delta sub-lineage accounted for nearly 6 per cent of all sequences generated, on an increasing trajectory, the health agency said in its report.

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