New Delhi : The national capital, which is unlocking in phases from past four weeks after the deadly second wave of coronavirus, has now allowed gyms and hotels to reopen at 50% of the capacity.

Meanwhile, the head of coronavirus working group NTAGI Dr NK Arora has asserted that the new highly transmissible Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 has a greater affinity to lung tissues as compared to other strains but it does not mean that it will cause severe disease or is more transmissible.

Till date, India has registered 51 cases of Delta plus variants in 12 states. 

Maharashtra has registered maximum number of new coronavirus variant. Meanwhile, the Centre has cautioned states and union territories to be extra vigilant and increase testing and vaccination to keep coronavirus under control.

In a press conference, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan suggested these measures specifically to eight states and Union Territories where these cases have been detected. Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat and Haryana are among them.

The Central government also urged the states to ensure that adequate samples of people who test positive for COVID-19 are promptly sent to the designated laboratories of Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) so that clinical epidemiological correlations can be established.