WHO lists only one strain of COVID-19 that emerged in India as a variant of concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared June 1, 2021 that only one strain of the B.1.617 variant of the novel coronavirus found in India is a ‘variant of concern’ (VOC). The strain — B.1.617.2 — was termed ‘Delta variant’.

Three strains of the B.1.617 variant, which was first found in India, have been detected — B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3. The B.1.617 variant is behind the deadly second wave of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in India.

WHO had declared all the three strains of B.1.617 as VOC in the second week of May. The B.1.617.1 or ‘Kappa’ variant was demoted as a ‘variant of interest’ (VOI). Very few reports of the B.1.617.3 strain emerged and so, it has not even been considered a VOI. 

Only the Delta strain, reported in 62 countries so far, remains a VOC because of its increased transmissibility.

In the last 24 hours, India recorded 132,000 new COVID-19 cases and 3,207 death.