The Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Variant Lambda (C.37)
The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants with potentially increased transmissibility, virulence, and resistance to antibody neutralization poses new challenges for the control of COVID-19 , particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where transmission remains high and vaccination progress is still incipient.
Peru has been severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic: As of May 31, 2021, it had the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths globally relative to its population (180764 out of 33.38 million: ∼0.54% of the country’s population) . By June 2021, 1424 genome sequences from Peru were available on GISAID, comprising 64 circulating PANGO lineages (3). Routine genomic surveillance in early 2021 revealed a deep-branching sublineage of B.1.1.1, now classified as C.37 .