There’s yet another COVID strain spreading. Here’s what you should know about the Lambda variant

This particular variant has now spread to more than two dozen countries, with a heavy concentration in South America. Originally identified in Peru last year, the Lambda variant is responsible for 82% of new COVID cases in Peru over the past two months. About a third of cases in Chile over the same time frame were also caused by the Lambda strain, and the U.K. is among the countries that have seen a smattering of cases. In mid-June, it was first deemed a variant of interest by the WHO—a designation given to a variant which may be more transmissible than the original strain, has caused outbreaks in multiple countries, or theoretically could cause more severe COVID illness or be more adept at evading currently available treatments and vaccines.

At this point, as is the case with other variants such as the Delta variant, it’s too early to know whether the Lambda could be more deadly than other strains or whether it’s resistant to vaccines or treatments.

An increase in transmissibility doesn’t necessarily mean that a variant is more deadly. Take the case of Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID vaccine, which may only be about 64% effective in preventing the Delta variant’s spread or minor COVID symptoms but is still more than 90% effective in preventing serious illness or hospitalization, according to new research out of Israel.

Public health officials are urging that more study and follow-up are needed to assess the nature of the Lambda variant’s threat. One very preliminary study finds that the specific mutations in the Lambda variant’s spike protein, the biological tool it uses to latch on to your cells, can increase both its infectiousness and help it evade your body’s immune system, making ongoing vaccination campaigns critical even if not every vaccine is completely effective against every coronavirus strain.

As COVID continues to spread, new variants will likely continue to emerge. It demonstrates the importance of genomic surveillance of COVID mutations so that companies have as much time as possible to prepare potential booster vaccines and new forms of coronavirus treatments.