Research and analysis

Variants: distribution of cases data, 20 May 2021

Updated 24 June 2022

Variants of concern or under investigation: data up to 19 May 2021

Surveillance overview

UK total distribution

Variant Other names by which this variant may be known* Lineage Country in which first detected Total confirmed cases^ New cases since last update (data up to 12 May)
VOC-20DEC-01 VOC-202012/01 B.1.1.7 England, UK 249,637 +7,066
VOC-20DEC-02 VOC-202012/02 501Y.V2
B.1.351
South Africa 904 +41
VUI-21JAN-01 VUI-202101/01 P.2 Brazil 60 0
VOC-21JAN-02 VOC-202101/02 P.1 Japan ex Manaus, Brazil 143 +30
VUI-21FEB-01 VUI-202102/01 A.23.1 with E484K England, UK 79 0
VOC-21FEB-02 VOC-202102/02 B.1.1.7 with E484K England, UK 43 0
VUI-21FEB-03 VUI-202102/03 B.1.525 (previously designated UK1188) England, UK 461 +20
VUI-21FEB-04 VUI-202102/04 B.1.1.318 England, UK 226 +22
VUI-21MAR-02 N/A P.3 Philippines 6 +0
VUI-21APR-01 N/A B.1.617 India 418 +50
VOC-21APR-02 N/A B.1.617.2 India 3,424 +2,111
VUI-21APR-03 N/A B.1.617.3 India 13 +2
VUI-21MAY-01 N/A AV.1 TBC 49 Initial
* Currently, there is no agreed international naming system for variants.
** Genomically confirmed cases are those where all lineage defining positions can be assessed. Probable cases are those where the sequencing is of a lower quality and not all lineage defining positions are called. Full case definitions.
^ Confirmed and probable genomic confidence categories assigned to each case have been unified into a single confirmed category. This is being done as a probable genomic confidence indicates a high confidence in variant assignment and the public health significance is the same.

Information about VUI-21MAR-01, B1.324.1 with E484K has been removed as this variant has been reclassified as provisionally extinct.

The VOC-20DEC-01 variant was first detected in the UK and was first sequenced in the UK in September 2020.

The VOC-20DEC-02 variant was first detected in South Africa and was first sequenced in the UK in December 2020.

The VUI-21JAN-01 variant was first detected in Brazil and was first sequenced in the UK in November 2020.

The VOC-21JAN-02 variant was first detected in Japan in travellers from Brazil in January 2021 and was first detected in the UK in February 2021.

The VUI-21FEB-01 variant was first detected in the UK in December 2020.

The VOC-21FEB-02 variant was first detected in the UK in December 2020.

The VUI-21FEB-03 variant was first detected in the UK in December 2020.

The VUI-21FEB-04 variant was first detected in the UK (England).

The VUI-21MAR-02 variant was first detected in the Philippines.

The VUI-21APR-01 variant was first detected in India.

The VOC-21APR-02 variant was first detected in India.

The VUI-21APR-03 variant was first detected in India.

The VUI-21MAY-01 variant’s location of first detection is to be confirmed.

Differences between a Variant of Concern and a Variant Under Investigation

SARS-CoV-2 variants, if considered to have concerning epidemiological, immunological or pathogenic properties, are raised for formal investigation. At this point they are designated Variant Under Investigation (VUI) with a year, month, and number. Following a risk assessment with the relevant expert committee, they may be designated Variant of Concern (VOC).

Changes in nomenclature

The previous variant names frequently include similar numbers with similar or repeating patterns. This makes referring to them verbally challenging. To overcome this challenge, a revised nomenclature has been agreed involving dropping the first 2 numbers of the year and replacing the 2-month numbers with a 3-letter abbreviation. This shortens the name and reduces the degree of repeated sequences of numbers. The table containing surveillance overview ‘UK total distribution’ contains a list of new variant names alongside previous or other names in use for VOCs and VUIs.

VOC-20DEC-01

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in the UK and was first sequenced in the UK in September 2020.

Total confirmed cases
England 207,401
Scotland 24,093
Wales 13,183
Northern Ireland      4,960
Total cases 249,637

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with at least 5 VOC-20DEC-01 lineage defining positions
are called as alternate (variant) base and all other defining positions reported as N
(unknown) or mixed bases.
Low-quality genome (LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where fewer than 4 lineage defining positions are called
as alternate (variant) base and all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases.
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VOC-20DEC-02

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in South Africa and was first sequenced in the UK in December 2020.

Total confirmed cases
England 808
Scotland 49
Wales 38
Northern Ireland      9
Total cases 904

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• at least 4 VOC-20DEC-02 lineage defining positions are called as alternate (variant) base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases 
or
• at least 5 of the 9 non-synonymous changes
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 4 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate (variant) base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases
or
• at least one but fewer than 5 of the 9 non-synonymous changes, and
• fewer than 5 wild type calls
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VUI-21JAN-01

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in Brazil and was first sequenced in the UK in November 2020.

Total confirmed cases
England 54
Scotland 5
Wales 1
Northern Ireland      0
Total cases 60

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* case confirmed as infected with VUI-21JAN-01 through whole genome sequencing (WGS) where:
• results of all lineage defining non-synonymous changes called as alternate base
or
• 6 of 7 non-synonymous changes called as alternate base, and
• remaining position either N or mixed bases
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where fewer than 6 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate (variant) base and all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VOC-21JAN-02

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in Japan in travellers from Brazil in January 2021 and was first detected in the UK in February 2021.

Total confirmed cases
England 129
Scotland 12
Wales 2
Northern Ireland      0
Total cases 143

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with:
• at least 5 lineage defining non-synonymous changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed bases
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 5 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate (variant) base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VUI-21FEB-01

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in the UK in December 2020.

Total confirmed cases
England 79
Scotland 0
Wales 0
Northern Ireland      0
Total cases 79

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with:
• at least 5 lineage defining non-synonymous changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed base
or
• at least 5 of the 9 non-synonymous changes
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 5 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate (variant) base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VOC-21FEB-02

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in the UK in December 2020.

Total confirmed cases
England 43
Scotland 0
Wales 0
Northern Ireland      0
Total cases 43

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* case confirmed as infected with VOC-21FEB-02 through whole genome sequencing (WGS) where results of all lineage defining non-synonymous changes called as alternate bases.
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where
• probable or confirmed VOC-20DEC-01, and
• fewer than 4 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate (variant) base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VUI-21FEB-03

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in the UK in December 2020.

Total confirmed cases
England 411
Scotland 38
Wales 10
Northern Ireland      2
Total cases 461

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with:
• at least 5 lineage defining non-synonymous changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed base
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 5 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate (variant) base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VUI-21FEB-04

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in the UK.

Total confirmed cases
England 205
Scotland 10
Wales 0
Northern Ireland      11
Total cases 226

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with:
• at least 5 lineage defining non-synonymous changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed base
or
• at least 5 of the 9 non-synonymous changes
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 5 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate (variant) base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VUI-21MAR-02

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in the Philippines.

Total confirmed cases
England 6
Scotland 0
Wales 0
Northern Ireland      0
Total cases 6

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with:
• at least 7 variant defining changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed base
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 7 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate base, and
• all other positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VUI-21APR-01

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in India.

Total confirmed cases
England 376
Scotland 27
Wales 15
Northern Ireland      0
Total cases 418

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with:
• at least 5 variant defining changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed base
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 5 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N or mixed base
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VOC-21APR-02

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in India.

Total confirmed cases
England 3,245
Scotland 136
Wales 28
Northern Ireland      15
Total cases 3,424

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with:
• at least 8 variant defining changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed base
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 8 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate (variant) base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N (unknown) or mixed bases
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VUI-21APR-03

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant was first detected in India.

Total confirmed cases
England 12
Scotland 0
Wales 1
Northern Ireland      0
Total cases 13

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with:
• at least 8 variant defining changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed base
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 8 positions are called but at least one is called as alternate (variant) base, and
• all other defining positions reported as N or mixed bases
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

VUI-21MAY-01

Surveillance overview

UK distribution – summary of 4 nations distribution

This variant’s location of first detection is to be confirmed.

Total confirmed cases
England 49
Scotland 0
Wales 0
Northern Ireland      0
Total cases 49

Case definitions

Genomic match Criteria
Confirmed COVID-19* confirmed case with:
• at least 7 variant defining changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed base
High-risk low-quality genome (HR-LQG) COVID-19* confirmed case where:
• fewer than 7 variant defining changes called as alternate base, and
• all other positions either N or mixed base
*A confirmed COVID-19 case: an individual who is confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).