As India has recorded nearly 50 cases of the Delta Plus variant of Covid-19 across the country, the first fatality due to the variant in Tamil Nadu has been reported in Madurai. The Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian confirmed the same on Friday.

"After the death of the Madurai patient, samples were collected, which confirmed that it was the 'Delta Plus' variant," he mentioned in his statement. The patient's contacts have tested negative for the viral infection. As on Friday, Maharashtra has registered the maximum of twenty cases while nine people in Tamil Nadu have tested positive for the Delta Plus variant, according to an official release by the Union health ministry. Meanwhile, the Centre has the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate measures to contain the variant in Madurai, Chennai and Kanchipuram districts where it has been found.

In a letter to chief secretary V Irai Anbu on Friday, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, "You are requested to take up immediate containment measures in these districts and clusters, including preventing crowds and intermingling of people, widespread testing, prompt tracing, as well as vaccine coverage on a priority basis."