The authorities of the Indian state of Maharashtra announced the discovery of 20 cases of a new COVID-19 strain called “Delta Plus.”

According to the New Delhi News Agency, infections with the new strain were discovered in the cities of Navi Mumbai, Balgari and Ratnagiri.

According to India Today, the new Delta plus variant (B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1) has been formed due to a mutation in the Delta, or B.1.617.2 variant.

The new strain has a K417N mutation, alongside the earlier Delta mutation in N501Y.

Researchers say that these two mutations could make the coronavirus more transmissible.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, India has confirmed 29,935,221 cases and 388,164 deaths.