Doctor Benjamin Co said the new Delta variant has acquired a spike protein mutation called K417N, which was also found in the Beta variant or known as the South Africa variant. “This mutation in a variant in addition to the features already of the Delta variant can increase its transmissibility,” Co told Philstar.com in an exclusive interview. Besides India, cases of the Delta plus variant had also been identified in the US, as well as in Canada, India, Japan, Nepal, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland and Turkey. Co asked the public to maintain proper distancing, good ventilation, wear masks and continue to wash hands in view of the emergence of the Delta variant and its mutation. As of June 23, the country has reported 17 Delta variant cases - with one remaining active, and one death.

Source: Philippine Star June 28, 2021 09:33 UTC