The Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2, which was first found in India in October 2020 and has now become one of the reasons for the present global resurgence of Covid cases, was discussed in Parliament on Friday as minister of state for health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed the Lok Sabha that it can't be speculated whether Delta can drive another wave in India. Delta was one of the major reasons for the second wave of the pandemic which swept the country in April-May, but whether the variant alone can bring another wave can't be speculated, the minister said. The surge in cases is also dependent on available susceptible populations, including a host of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions like vaccination, the minister said in her written reply. "Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to be more transmissible than other variants of concern. "There is however no scientific evidence either from India or globally, to show that children get disproportionately infected with Co-19 including the Delta variant.

Source: Hindustan Times July 23, 2021 16:18 UTC