WHO classifies B1617 variant, first identified in India, as global variant of concern
India loses 116 medics in 25 days as infections surge to new highs,/b>
The coronavirus variant first identified in India last year is now being classified as a variant of global concern, with some preliminary studies showing that it spreads more easily, the World Health Organziation said on Monday.
The B1617 variant is the fourth variant to be designated as being of global concern and requiring heightened tracking and analysis. The others are those first detected in Britain, South Africa and Brazil.
"We are classifying this as a variant of concern at a global level," Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on COVID-19, told a briefing. "There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility."
Indian coronavirus infections and deaths held close to record daily highs on Monday, increasing calls for the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lock down the world's second-most populous country.