Tamil Nadu reports first death from Delta Plus variant

Report comes as the state announced further relaxations in the Covid-prompted lockdown that will stretch from Monday to July 5; inter-district public transport to resume in 23 districts

- Nirmala Joseph

CHENNAI

The first death of a patient from the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Tamil Nadu. Medical and Family Welfare Minister M. Subramanian said a patient from Madurai has succumbed to the infection.

Two others infected with Delta Plus have recovered, he said. One is a 32-year-old nurse from Chennai and the other is a man from Kancheepuram district.

The Union health ministry has told Tamil Nadu that the Delta Plus variant has increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response.

The report comes as the state announced further relaxations in the Covid-prompted lockdown that will stretch from June 28, Monday to July 5.

The major easing will benefit Chennai and surrounding districts; the 11 districts including Coimbatore where cases remain high will also get some relief.

Shopping malls, jewellery stores, textile showrooms and places of worship will be allowed in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpet districts. Shopping complexes and malls can reopen in Chennai and its surroundings. Inter-district public transport will resume in 23 districts.