They include B.1.1.7, known in the UK as the Kent variant and around the world as the UK variant - but now labelled by the WHO as Alpha. The B.1.617.2 variant, often known as the Indian variant, has been labelled Delta, while B.1.351, often referred to as the South African variant, has been named Beta. Tory minister Paul Scully said the UK government is likely to start using the newly-recommended names. The WHO said: "While they have their advantages, these scientific names can be difficult to say and recall, and are prone to misreporting. The organisation said the labels do not replace existing scientific names, which convey important scientific information and will continue to be used in research.

Source: Daily Mirror June 01, 2021 07:08 UTC