Additionally, the WHO has received information from unofficial sources that the B.1.617 variant has been found in seven other countries and territories, figures in the UN health agency's weekly epidemiological update showed, taking the total to 60.

The report said B.1.617 had shown increased transmissibility, while disease severity and risk of infection were under investigation. The update gave information on the three mutations classed as variants of concern: those first reported in Britain (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), and Brazil (P.1).