COVID-19 variant of interest Lambda found in 29 countries: WHO

The latest COVID-19 variant in the WHO’s watchlist is called Lambda. It was first isolated in Peru in August 2020, but since then it has spread to 29 countries. This has led the WHO on June 16, 2021, to announce that Lambda was also a variant of interest. The variant has spread quickly across the South American countries. Particularly in Peru where 81% of the cases since April 2021 have been linked to this variant. Chile has reported that 32% of all submitted sequences in the last 60 days were of the Lambda variant. Argentina and Ecuador have also reported the presence of the Lambda variant in their countries. Lambda variant cases outnumbered the cases of Alpha variant - a global variant of concern. The variant carries mutations that might increase transmissibility or strengthen the virus's resistance to antibodies. According to the WHO, evidence about this variant is limited. Further studies are needed to understand the variant to control its spread.