The infectious Coronavirus disease also known as COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Over time, like all other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 also changes itself. The majority of changes have little to no effect on the characteristics of the virus, but some changes might impact how easily the virus spreads, the severity, or the effectiveness of vaccines.

EXPLAINED: What is BF.7, the new variant behind China's COVID wave, are available vaccines effective?

Passengers coming to Mumbai from South Africa will be quarantined and tested for the new coronavirus variant, Omicron—which has been described the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant of concern.

Quarantine, genome sequencing for passengers coming from South Africa to Mumbai, says city’s mayor

Scientists are concerned that a highly contagious new COVID-19 strain devastating Peru might be immune to vaccinations. The C.37 strain, known as the Lambda variant, was first found in Peru in December 2020, accounting for fewer than 1% of all new cases.

COVID-19: Lambda variant may be more resistant to vaccines than other strains

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the existence of a new COVID-19 "variant of interest" known as 'Lambda.' It was initially detected in Peru in August 2020, and it has since been reported in 29 nations around the world, mostly in Latin America, including Argentina and Chile.

Lambda: New variant of COVID-19 that is affecting 29 countries