WHO has not associated the term "Indian Variant" with B.1.617: Centre

Several media reports covered the news of the World Health Organisation (WHO) classifying B.1.617 as a variant of global concern. Even as some reports termed the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus as an “Indian Variant”. Denying all such reports, the Union Health Ministry stated that these media reports were without any basis, and unfounded. Also Read | Coronavirus in India: PM Narendra Modi a ‘super-spreader’ of COVID-19, says IMA Vice President It stated that this was to clarify that WHO has not associated the term “Indian Variant” with the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus in its 32-page document. Also Read | Coronavirus: India records more recoveries than new cases for 2nd consecutive day In fact, the word “Indian” has not been used in its report on the matter, it added. Meanwhile, WHO South-East Asia stated that WHO does not identify viruses or variants with names of countries they are first reported from. "We refer to them by their scientific names and request all to do the same for consistency," it added. India has been dealing with the second wave of coronavirus. India was reporting more than 4 lakh daily new cases but it has started to decline now. India on Wednesday recorded more recoveries than new cases for the second consecutive day. Click here to follow PTC News on Twitter -PTC News