467 clinical samples with SARS-CoV-2 were successfully analyzed in NCIPD by new generation cellogenomic sequencing. In one of them, a viral variant of Alpha (B.1.1.7) was found, and in all the others Delta and its sub-variants, which according to the WHO are classified as variants of increased importance for public health.

From August 2021, the Delta variant is divided into classic (B.1.617.2) and sub-variants marked with AY and serial number. According to the PANGO Lineage notation system, to date the sub-variants are from AY.1 to AY.41.
https://cov-lineages.org/index.html

The Delta subvariant classification is used for epidemiological surveillance of the pandemic. The final analysis to define the virus variants was performed using the program Nextclade v1.7.1. and Pangolin COVID-19 Lineage Assigner v3.1.14. The clinical samples were taken from patients with COVID-19 in the period 20.09-07.10.2021 and were sent by 55 different medical institutions from 23 districts of the country.

According to the WHO classification, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P1) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants of SARS-CoV-2 are classified as viral variants of increased importance for public health. For more information visit:
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/variants-concern
https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/

NCIPD continues to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the country, with a focus on seeking variants with accelerated spread, altered virulence and immunogenicity that are of increased public health importance.