WHO "Indo-bal Corona19 Byeoni at least 17 Gukseo서 발견"

Open-air crematorium in New Delhi, India, where the bodies of COVID-19 victims are cremated.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Donghyun] The COVID-19 variant first discovered in India has been found in at least 17 countries.

According to AFP on the 28th (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO) stated in its weekly epidemiological report that the India-origin COVID-19 variant (B.1.617) had been detected in at least 17 countries as of the previous day. This tally is based on information confirmed from over 1,200 genetic sequences uploaded to the virus information sharing site GISAID.

Most of the reported Indian variants were identified in India, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore.

AFP reported that "WHO classified this virus as a 'variant of interest' rather than a 'variant of concern'." A variant of concern means the virus is more dangerous than the original form in terms of transmissibility, severity, and vaccine effectiveness.

However, AFP explained that "'B.1.617' has a higher growth rate than other variants circulating in India, indicating increased transmissibility."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.