EXPLAINED: What is virus variant of concern? How is it different from variant of interest?

Asianet Newsable English | May 20 2021, 11:15 AM IST

In this video, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove -- the World Health Organisation's COVID-19 Technical Lead -- explains the difference between virus variants of interest and virus variants of concern. 

"SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19 is evolving. This is a natural evolution and the virus is expected to change the more the virus circulates around," Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's COVID-19 Technical Lead, has said.

In this video, Dr Kerkhove explains the difference between virus variants of interest and virus variants of concern. 

She does so citing the example of B.1.617, which was first identified in India.

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