Thread by @mvankerkhove

Quick thread on the C.1.2 variant that has been in the news and on twitter today…

First remember that the more the virus spreads the more opportunity it has to change. We have the tools to prevent infections, reduce the spread & save lives - lets use them.

Keep reading…

@WHO has regularly been discussing with South African researchers about theirr work on sequencing throughout the #COVID19 pandemic. 🙏 We are grateful for researchers in 🇿🇦 who first presented their findings on variant C.1.2 to the WHO Virus Evolution Working Group in July ‘21.

Thanks to these scientific collaborations, sharing of sequences & analyses by 🇿🇦(eg ⬇️) & researchers around 🌍🌏🌎, @WHO & partners are able to quickly monitor & assess specific mutations and variants identified & alert the world of any potential risks. medrxiv.org/content/10.110…

To date there are ~100 sequences of C.1.2 reported globally, the earliest reports from May ‘21 from 🇿🇦.

At this time, C.1.2 does not appear to be ⬆️ in circulation, but we need more sequencing to be conducted & shared globally. Delta appears dominant from available sequences.

If @WHO characterizes this or any variants as a variant of interest or concern (we are monitoring dozens at the moment), we will share the info here: who.int/en/activities/…, report updated info in our weekly epi updates (each Tuesday) & via our regular press conferences…

Monitoring & assessment of variants is ongoing & criticality important to understand the evolution of this virus, in fighting COVID-19 & adapting strategies as needed. @WHO appreciates researchers for sharing their findings with WHO and the global scientific community.

(If I could, I would tag all partners in the @WHO VEWG as well as organizations, research institutions supporting #SARSCoV2 sequencing efforts worldwide.)