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Rabat – Scientists in the UK are investigating a new mutation of the COVID-19 virus which has been ominously dubbed “Delta Plus.” In the same week that Morocco officially closed its borders to travellers to and from Britain, London is reporting that 6% of domestic COVID-19 cases are now of the “delta plus” variant.
Much remains unknown about the new mutation, technically known as “AY 4.2,” prompting British scientists to research whether it is either more transmissible, or deadly than previously reported mutations. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating the new mutated COVID-19 variant, but has not classified it as a “variant of concern.”
The UKHSA has highlighted that “there is some early evidence that it may have an increased growth rate in the UK compared to Delta.” However, the health agency emphasizes that “more evidence is needed,” before the variant is classified as a potential new threat to public health.
The Delta Plus variant shows few mutations relative to the Delta variant, which still accounts for 99.8% of all detected British cases. The UKHSA has described the mutations in the COVID-19 as “not unexpected” and has reiterated that vaccines remain effective against the new strain.
“So far it does not appear this variant causes more severe disease or renders the vaccines currently deployed any less effective,” the agency wrote on its official website. The UKHSA’s Chief Executive Jenny Harries stated that “viruses mutate often and at random, and it is not unexpected that new variants will continue to arise as the pandemic goes on.”
The continuing advice from local experts is for citizens to get vaccinated. “Get vaccinated and, for those eligible, come forward for your third or booster dose as appropriate as soon as you are called,” Harries advised.
