Collection

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) variants

Information on variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 21 December 2020
• Last updated: 21 January 2022 — See all updates

Data

Increased household transmission of COVID-19 cases associated with SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern B.1.617.2: a national case-control study

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New variant clustering in households analysis (ONS)

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Confirmed cases of VOC-21APR-02 by week – infographic

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Confirmed cases of VOC-21APR-02 by week – data

• COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers
  • 24 June 2022
  • Research and analysis

Guidance and information

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2): information about the new virus variant

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New SARS-COV-2 variant: information and risk assessment – slide set

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What do we know about the new COVID-19 variants? – blog post

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Central Alerting System (CAS) alert

• SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern diagnostic assurance
  • 14 April 2022
  • Guidance
• Reflex (genotyping) assays for identification of priority SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
  • 20 April 2022
  • Guidance

Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants

• Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants: technical briefings
  • 22 September 2023
  • Research and analysis
• Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants: routine variant data update
  • 25 March 2022
  • Research and analysis
• Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: variant risk assessments
  • 1 September 2023
  • Research and analysis
• SARS-CoV-2 variants of public health interest
  • 21 April 2023
  • Guidance

COVID-19 therapeutics

• COVID-19 therapeutic agents: technical briefings
  • 31 August 2023
  • Research and analysis

Lateral flow testing

• SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow antigen tests: evaluation of VOC1 and VOC2
  • 12 February 2021
  • Guidance
• SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow antigen tests: evaluation of VUI-202012/01
  • 23 December 2020
  • Guidance

News and announcements

NERVTAG statements on COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) (updated regularly)

• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK
  • 17 September 2021
  • News story
• PHE statement on Variant of Concern and new Variant Under Investigation
  • 10 February 2021
  • News story
• Rapid evaluation confirms lateral flow devices effective in detecting new COVID-19 variant
  • 23 December 2020
  • Press release
• Statement from Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, about new strain of COVID-19
  • 19 December 2020
  • Press release
• PHE investigating a novel variant of COVID-19
  • 14 December 2020
  • News story

Surge testing

• COVID-19 surge testing outcomes reports: management information
  • 1 July 2021
  • Statistical data set
• Surge testing to be deployed to monitor and suppress spread of COVID-19 variant
  • 1 February 2021
  • Press release
• Surge testing to be deployed in further areas in connection to new variants
  • 6 February 2021
  • Press release
• Surge testing to be deployed in areas around Manchester in connection to new variants
  • 8 February 2021
  • News story
• Surge testing to be deployed in areas around Lambeth in connection to new variant
  • 9 February 2021
  • Press release
• Surge testing to be deployed in areas of Middlesbrough, Walsall, and Hampshire in connection to new variant
  • 13 February 2021
  • Press release
• Surge testing to be deployed in areas around Manchester, Norfolk, Southampton and Surrey
  • 16 February 2021
  • Press release
• Surge testing to be deployed in areas around Leeds
  • 18 February 2021
  • Press release
• Surge testing to be deployed in an area of Brentwood
  • 21 February 2021
  • Press release
• Surge testing to be deployed in New Addington, Croydon
  • 22 February 2021
  • Press release

Published 21 December 2020

Last updated 21 January 2022 + show all updates

1. 21 January 2022

   Added 'COVID-19 therapeutic agents: technical briefings'.

2. 11 August 2021

   Added 'SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern diagnostic assurance' and 'Reflex (genotyping) assays for identification of priority SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern'.

3. 6 August 2021

   Added 'SARS-CoV-2 variants of public health interest' under 'Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants'.

4. 11 June 2021

   Added link to 'Increased household transmission of COVID-19 cases associated with SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern B.1.617.2: a national case-control study'.

5. 14 May 2021

   Added links to 'Confirmed cases of VOC-21APR-02 by week' under Data.

6. 13 May 2021

   Added 'Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants' section.

7. 1 April 2021

   Added 'COVID-19 surge testing outcomes reports: management information' under Surge testing.

8. 24 February 2021

   Added Data and Surge testing sections.

9. 12 February 2021

   Added link to 'SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow antigen tests: evaluation of VOC1 (Kent, UK) and VOC2 (South Africa)' guidance.

10. 4 February 2021

    Added 'COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers'.

11. 1 February 2021

    Added 'SARS-CoV-2 VOC: investigating and managing individuals with a possible or confirmed case'.

12. 29 December 2020

    Added link to New variant clustering in households analysis (ONS).

13. 28 December 2020

    Added link to Central Alerting System (CAS) alert under 'Guidance and information'.

14. 24 December 2020

    Added links to news stories.

15. 23 December 2020

    Added 'SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow antigen tests: evaluation of VUI-202012/01'.

16. 21 December 2020

    First published.