WHO renames Covid-19 variants, with 'Kent variant' designated Alpha
1 June 2021, 08:41
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has renamed Covid-19 variants using the Greek alphabet, with the UK's so-called Kent variant (B.1.1.7) designated as Alpha.
The new labels for each variant will be replacing the location-based names used colloquially, such as the Indian variant.
The WHO said this was to remove stigma around each name and simplify the system, so it was easier to remember.
Multiple systems were reviewed with wide consultation, before the new labels were chosen.
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Today WHO has announced a new naming system for key #COVID19 variants. The labels are based on the Greek alphabet (i.e. Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc), making them simple, easy to say and remember.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 31, 2021
👉 https://t.co/aYCZfspZyb pic.twitter.com/Gxt14fwVqF
New variant system:
The UK/Kent variant (B.1.1.7) is Alpha.
The South African variant (B.1.351) is Beta.
The Brazilian variant (P.1) is Gamma.
The Indian variant (B.1.617.2) is Delta.
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There are variants of interest to WHO too, including:
A US variant (B.1.427/B.1.429) named Epsilon.
P.2, found in Brazil, named Zeta.
B.1.525, found in multiple countries, named Eta.
P3, found in the Philippines, named Theta.
B.1.526, found in the US, named Iota.
B.1.617.1, found in India, named Kappa.
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The scientific names for each variant will remain the same for research, as they provide important scientific information.
WHO said: "While they have their advantages, these scientific names can be difficult to say and recall, and are prone to misreporting."
"As a result, people often resort to calling variants by the places where they are detected, which is stigmatising and discriminatory.
"To avoid this and to simplify public communications, WHO encourages national authorities, media outlets and others to adopt these new labels."
