The lambda variant, previously called C.37, was first identified in Peru in August 2020. Although it is not considered a variant of concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a variant of interest in June. So far, scientists have identified the lambda variant in at least 26 countries, including the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. In Peru, it now accounts for the majority of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Recently, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced that 11 cases have been identified in Canada. Speaking with the BBC, Dr. Alicia Demirjian, the COVID Incident Director at Public Health England (PHE), explains that currently, there is “limited evidence available about this variant.” She continued: “PHE, together with academic partners, is undertaking investigations to better understand the impact of the mutations on the behavior of the virus. We are closely monitoring the situation in those countries where this variant is prevalent, and where cases are detected in t

The lambda variant, previously called C. 37, was first identified in Peru in August 2020. Although it is not considered a variant of concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a variant of interest in June. So far, scientists have identified the lambda variant in at least 26 countries, including the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. In Peru, it now accounts for the majority of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Recently, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced that 11 cases have been identified in Canada. Speaking with the BBC, Dr. Alicia Demirjian, the COVID Incident Director at Public Health England (PHE), explains that currently, there is “limited evidence available about this variant. ” She continued: “PHE, together with academic partners, is undertaking investigations to better understand the impact of the mutations on the behavior of the virus. We are closely monitoring the situation in those countries where this variant is prevalent, and where cases are detected in the United Kingdom, we are testing contacts and will undertake targeted case finding if required. ” One study, which appears on a preprint server and has not yet been peer-reviewed, investigated whether the variant is more transmissible. The authors also tested how effective the CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine might be at preventing