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The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday said that around 40 cases of the Delta Plus variant of coronavirus have been found in three states of India. Delta plus variant, which is a mutation of the Delta variant, has now been classified as ‘variant of concern’ by the health ministry.

Here’s everything you need to know about Delta plus variant:

1. The Delta Plus strain is a mutation in the Delta or B.1.617.2 variant of coronavirus, which was first detected in India and is believed to be the reason for the deadly second wave. Delta plus is believed to be faster-spreading and may be more resistant to existing treatment protocol.

2. According to INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia), which is a consortium of 28 labs tasked with genome sequencing of the virus, Delta Plus has ‘increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response.’

3. According to INSACOG, the Delta Plus is characterized by a mutation in the spike protein, which helps the virus gain entry into human cells.

4. As per experts, the Delta Plus has now been found in nine countries – US, UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Russia, China and India.

5. In India, the Delta Plus variant has been found in Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. These states have been urged by the Centre to take ‘immediate containment steps.’

6. As per the Health Ministry, the role of Delta Plus in immune escape, disease severity or increased transmissibility is under continued surveillance. This means that very little is known about how severely Delta Plus can hit and how treatment and vaccines work on the strain.

7. According to VK Paul, who heads the COVID task force, Delta Plus had been seen in Europe since March and was brought into the public domain on June 13.