What is the Lambda COVID variant? World Health Organization says they are watching data

While most are focused on the Delta variant of Covid and its possible ramifications on the coming months, another strain of the virus is emerging.

Little is known about the Lambda strain of Covid-19, but it was first reported in Peru, and has accounted for more than 80% of the cases seen there since April.

“We do not know whether this is going to be better or worse than delta, there’s not enough information,” Dr. Andrew Yurochko, with LSU Health Shreveport told NewsNation.

The World Health Organization has labeled it a ‘variant of interest’, but not added any other notes to it. At this point, 44 states in the U.S. have reported Lambda cases.

Dr. Joseph Gastaldo, medical director of infectious diseases at OhioHealth tells NewsNation that this is precisely what’s expected with any virus- especially Covid. “It should surprise nobody that we are going to have further evolution of this virus into other variants,” he said.

Doctors and health experts say they will collectively be watching the variant as it becomes more common in the U.S.

Staff Report

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