As the fear of COVID-19 virus doesn't seem to end, a new variant after the Delta plus has created a cause of concern now which has been reportedly found in the United Kingdom. The Public Health England 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. However, there is currently no evidence that the new variant causes more severe disease or renders vaccines less effective.
What is Lambda variant and where was it found?
The Lambda variant has been detected by South American scientists in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Argentina. The experts are saying that this variant has shown multiple mutations in spike protein. These mutations could have an effect on the transmissibility of the variant. However, further investigation is needed to understand the mutations in a complete sense.
PHE is carrying out laboratory testing to better understand the impact of mutations on the behaviour of the virus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has made a decision to rename COVID variants based on the Greek alphabet letters. The newly found variant in South America has been designated as the 'variant of interest' and it is being called the Lambda variant.
Symptoms of Lambda variant?
High temperature
A new, continuous cough
A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
As per reports, most people with COVID symptoms will have at least one of these listed symptoms. People with covid symptoms should also get a PCR test as soon as possible to verify whether they are positive or not.
India has not recorded any Lambda variant cases yet, however, it has seen a surge in Delta and Delta Plus variant cases. Maharashtra recently recorded the first death due to infection from the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 . Experts believe the opening of air travel may bring the Lambda variant to India.
