New Covid-19 variant called Lambda being investigated: What we know so far

NEW DELHI: A new strain of Sars-CoV-2 called Lambda (C.37) has been detected in the United Kingdom and was identified as a variant of interest by the World Health Organisation on June 14. Even as the experts study this new lineage of Sars-CoV-2, scientists have said that this variant could have improved transmissibility.
Lambda will be closely monitored in terms of how fast it can spread before being added to the group of 'variables of concern' which includes the B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.427/29 (Epsilon).
Here is what you need to know about Lambda:


Lambda in Peru
The lambda variant has multiple mutations in the spike protein that could have an impact on its transmissibility, but more studies are needed to fully understand the mutations, said WHO.
Chile has not managed to lower its contagion cases and hospitals are still at maximum capacity. At the end of May, Peru became the nation with the highest mortality rate in the world. The situation is worrying because the coronavirus caused a lot of damage to South America and they have not managed to recover.
Lambda in the UK
The Public Health England (PHE) has also reported a new strain, Lambda. It has been categorised as a variant under investigation with six cases detected between February 23 and June 7. Of these, five had been linked to overseas travel.
The PHE has asserted that two doses of vaccine are still effective at providing protection against the risk of hospitalisation. It added that there is currently no evidence that the new variant causes more severe disease or renders vaccines less effective, the report said.
Lambda in India
While B.1.617.3 and B.1.1.318 are already present in India, Lambda is yet to make its way into the country though it is spreading fast across the world. Experts fear that the opening of international air travel may bring a cocktail of new variants, including Lambda, into India. They also called for more genomic surveillance to identify and find solutions to emerging variants.
(With inputs from agencies)