AY.4.2, a new mutation of the Delta variant of Covid-19, has now been classed as a Variant Under Investigation (VUI) amid concerns of its increased growth rate, with experts warning it is a reminder that the pandemic is not over.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), a public health protection body, said AY.4.2, which was last week seen in six percent of cases, had been "designated as a variant under investigation" but not yet a "variant of concern".
The number of Delta Plus variant of coronavirus cases in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district rose to 15 after a fresh case was reported on Monday, said the district health department.
The samples were collected from a 35-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man and were sent to the Delhi-based National Center for Disease Control in July.
Maharashtra's Covid-19 tally now stands at 6,428,294 after 3,643 new cases on Monday. There have been 136,067 deaths so far and the number of active cases of Covid-19 in the state is below 50,000.