The mutant coronavirus strain has already begun to mutate further.

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has already begun its exodus around the world. After first being discovered in India, the mutant strain, much more contagious and impactful than its alpha contemporary, has already reached as far as the United States. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, it’s only a matter of weeks before the Delta variant becomes the dominant strain of coronavirus. As if this weren’t concerning enough, however, it appears the Delta variant has already begun to mutate in new and worrying directions.

Coronavirus tests in India and the United Kingdom have begun to paint a picture of a “Delta Plus” variant of the disease, one with a similar genetic makeup to the regular Delta variant, but with an increased sickness-causing capability. To be more specific, global health experts have noted that the Delta Plus variant is even more transmissible between people than the regular Delta variant, binds more strongly to the receptors of lung cells, and can potentially cause a reduction in monoclonal antibody response. That last point is especially concerning, as a diminished monoclonal antibody response could reduce the effectiveness of antibody therapy used to treat certain people that have been hospitalized with COVID-19.

While these characteristics are concerning, the global health community is urging people to remain calm, and to get vaccinated if they haven’t already. Much like the normal Delta variant, the Delta Plus is, as far as studies have determined, just as easily prevented by a full vaccination.

“Epidemiologically speaking, I have no reason to believe that ‘Delta plus’ alters the current situation in a manner to accelerate or trigger the third wave,” New Delhi-based epidemiologist Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya told CNBC.

“If we go by the currently available evidence, Delta plus is not very different from Delta variant. It is the same Delta variant with one additional mutation. The only clinical difference, which we know till now, is that Delta plus has some resistance to monoclonal antibody combination therapy. And that is not a major difference as the therapy itself is investigational and few are eligible for this treatment.”