Lambda Covid Variant: Health Officials are watching new coronavirus variant called 'Lambda'

WHO

It has been reported that a new fast spreading Covid-19 variant called Lambda (C.37) of the Sars-CoV-2 virus has left scientists puzzled due to its unusual set of mutations. 

The World Health Organization said that this genetic mutation may increase its ability to spread or may increase its resistance to "neutralizing antibodies." 

The strain was first discovered in Peru which has the highest coronavirus death rate in the world and it's said to have now spread to nearly 30 countries in the past month including Argentina, Chile, and the UK. 

Scientists reportedly noticed the variant in December 2020 when it accounted for just 1 in every 200 samples in Peru. By March 2021 it had jumped to 50 cases. 

According to World Health Organization that figure has now climbed to the dominant strain in Peru at 82% raising concerns that the variant could potentially be the most infectious strain yet. 

On 14 June, Lambda was listed as a 'variant of interest' by the World Health Organization due to its vast spread in South America.