A NEW naming scheme for noteworthy Covid variants has been introduced by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
From now on the WHO will use Greek letters to refer to variants first discovered in countries like India, South Africa and the UK.
The UK variant is therefore labelled as Alpha, the South African Beta, and the Indian as Delta.
The United Nations health body said the move was to simplify discussions but also to help remove some stigma from the names.
It also follows criticism from the Indian government that labelling variants according to where they were first detected leads to increased stigmatisation.
"No country should be stigmatised for detecting and reporting variants," the WHO's Covid-19 technical lead, Maria Van Kerkhove, tweeted. She also called for "robust surveillance" of variants, and for the sharing of scientific data to help stop the spread.
No country should be stigmatized for detecting and reporting variants.
— Maria Van Kerkhove (@mvankerkhove) May 31, 2021
Globally, we need robust surveillance for variants, incl epi, molecular and sequencing to be carried out and shared. We need to continue to do all we can to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 #COVID19 @WHO
The labels will refer to both variants of interest (VOI) and variants of concern (VOC) with the Greek alphabet chosen following "wide consultation and a review of several potential systems", according to Van Kerkhove.
She added that the labels do not replace existing scientific names such as B.1.1.7 which refers to the variant that was first identified in the UK. The new naming scheme is to help with public discussion of new variants.
You can read more about the renaming scheme through the pictures on the tweet below or this link that includes all relevant documents.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel