With Several States Unlocking, How Worrying is Delta Plus Variant?

Several states have eased lockdown restrictions and have started opening up as the second wave of COVID-19 seems to ebbing across the country, with less than 50,000 cases being registered on 22 June.

However, the near re-opening of the economy also led to COVID norms like social distancing, wearing masks being blatantly defied by the public, especially in the national capital.

Photos of crowded markets and malls have been doing the rounds on social media. In Uttar Pradesh, thousands of devotees reported even gathered to take dip in Ganga, flouting all norms.

Meanwhile, a new mutation of the deadly Delta variant has also emerged, called the “Delta Plus”. The health ministry on 22 June tagged it as a “variant of concern.” as 40 cases have been country with this mutant variant.

Given that the second wave was born out of a lackadaisical attitude from the government and citizens and the fact that majority of Indians are still not vaccinated, are we unlocking too much too soon?

Host and Producer: Himmat Shaligram

Guest:

Dr Shahid Jameel, virologist and the Director of Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University, and Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, a public system expert.

Editor: Shelly Walia

Music: Big Bang Fuzz

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