In its latest report on the different variants of the coronavirus in the UK, PHE has identified a new variant under investigation (VUI).
It is a branch of the Lambda variant, which was first identified in Peru in South America.
The VUI has been designated “VUI-21JUL-01”, and has the B.1.621 lineage.
The new designation was made on 20 July, because of “apparent spread into multiple countries, importation to the UK and mutations of concern”.
As of Thursday, 16 cases were recorded in England but there have been no deaths reported so far.
According to the PHE website, VUIs are designated as such if they are “considered to have concerning epidemiological, immunological or pathogenic properties”.
After an investigation and a risk assessment, they may then be upgraded to a variant of concern.
