The Lambda Coronavirus variant is believed to have come from Peru, where cases seem to be subsiding, but the UK is playing close attention to the strain since it’s hitting South America hard, and could potentially be more transmissible than the Delta variant. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the Lambda Covid variant?
The Lambda Coronavirus variant, also known as the C.37 variant, was first detected in Peru in December 2020. It is now the most dominant variant in Argentina, Chile and Colombia, but despite being identified in most US states, it hasn’t picked up much traction there.The World Health Organisation declared it as a variant of interest on 14 June 2021, after cases began to spread more rapidly. In a report shared on this date, the WHO said: “Lambda has been associated with substantive rates of community transmission in multiple countries, with rising prevalence over time concurrent with increased Covid-19 incidence.”
