WHO uses Greek letters to label Sars-CoV-2 variants

A GROUP of experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of Greek letters in referring to Sars-CoV-2 variants for easy recall among non-scientific individuals.

The four variants of concern (VOC) may now be referred to as Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants, according to a WHO statement issued on early Tuesday, June 1, 2021 (local time).

• B.1.1.7 (first found in the United Kingdom) - Alpha
• B.1.351 (first found in South Africa) - Beta
• P.1 (first found in Brazil) - Gamma
• B.1.617.2 (first found in India) - Delta

• B.1.427 / B.1.429 (first detected in the United States) - Epsilon
• P.2 (first detected in Brazil) - Zeta
• B.1.525 (detected in multiple countries) - Eta
• P.3 (first detected in Philippines) - Theta
• B.1.526 (first detected in the US) - Iota
• B.1.617.1 (first detected in India) - Kappa