<p>The World Health Organziation said on Monday that the B.1.617 variant first identified in India last year was being classified as a variant of global concern.</p>.<p>"We classify it as a variant of concern at a global level," Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on Covid-19, told a briefing. "There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility."</p>.<p>Indian coronavirus infections and deaths held close to record daily highs on Monday, increasing calls for the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lock down the world's second-most populous country.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/covid-19-wrap-up-india-finally-sees-a-dip-in-cases-but-situation-still-remains-grim-984524.html">Covid-19 Wrap-up: India finally sees a dip in cases but situation still remains grim</a></strong></p>.<p>The WHO has said the predominant lineage of B.1.617 was first identified in India last December, although an earlier version was spotted in October 2020.</p>.<p>The variant has already spread to other countries, and many nations have moved to cut or restrict movements from India.</p>.<p>Van Kerkhove said more information about the variant and its three lineages would be made available on Tuesday.</p>.<p>WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the WHO Foundation was launching a "Together for India" appeal to raise funds to purchase oxygen, medicines and protective equipment for health workers.</p>
<p>The World Health Organziation said on Monday that the B.1.617 variant first identified in India last year was being classified as a variant of global concern.</p>.<p>"We classify it as a variant of concern at a global level," Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on Covid-19, told a briefing. "There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility."</p>.<p>Indian coronavirus infections and deaths held close to record daily highs on Monday, increasing calls for the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lock down the world's second-most populous country.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/covid-19-wrap-up-india-finally-sees-a-dip-in-cases-but-situation-still-remains-grim-984524.html">Covid-19 Wrap-up: India finally sees a dip in cases but situation still remains grim</a></strong></p>.<p>The WHO has said the predominant lineage of B.1.617 was first identified in India last December, although an earlier version was spotted in October 2020.</p>.<p>The variant has already spread to other countries, and many nations have moved to cut or restrict movements from India.</p>.<p>Van Kerkhove said more information about the variant and its three lineages would be made available on Tuesday.</p>.<p>WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the WHO Foundation was launching a "Together for India" appeal to raise funds to purchase oxygen, medicines and protective equipment for health workers.</p>