The World Health Organization announces a new system of naming the COVID-19 variants using the Greek alphabet in order to avoid stigmatizing countries where variants are first detected. According to the new system, B.1.1.7 becomes Alpha, B.1.351 becomes Beta, and P.1 becomes Gamma. Meanwhile B.1.617, which split into sub-lineage B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2, is called Kappa and Delta respectively. 2021-05-31
Vietnam discovers a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that combines the mutations from Lineage B.1.617 and Lineage B.1.1.7. 2021-05-29
The World Health Organization classifies the Lineage B.1.617 variant as a "Variant of Concern", becoming the fourth variant to be designated as being of global concern after the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 variants. 2021-05-10
Florida has reported more than 10,000 cases of the Lineage B.1.1.7, Lineage P.1, and Lineage B.1.351 variants since spring break. 2021-05-9
North Dakota reports their first four cases of the California variant of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, the state also reports seven cases of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2. 2021-03-17
Belgium announces that easing of major COVID-19-related restrictions will be put on hold for another week due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections and the spread of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant. 2021-02-26
Prime Minister Sanna Marin announces "tier-two" lockdown restrictions for the next three weeks, which includes the closure of bars and restaurants, expanded remote learning, and a ban on gatherings of more than six people beginning March 8 due to the spread of the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant. 2021-02-25
Palestine reports their first cases of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the United Kingdom in 139 people from the West Bank. 2021-02-16
Serbia reports their first case of the B.1.1.7 variant in a person who travelled from London and later began experiencing mild symptoms. 2021-01-24