Coronavirus | WHO has not used term ‘Indian Variant’ for B.1.617 strain: Health Ministry

In this May 6, 2021, file photo, an Indian health worker checks body temperature of a man during a door-to-door survey being conducted as a precaution against COVID-19 in Hyderabad, India. (Source: AP)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has not associated the term “Indian Variant” with the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus in its 32-page document, according to the Health Ministry.

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In fact, the word ‘Indian’ has not been used in its report on the matter, noted a release issued by the Ministry on Wednesday.

It added that some reports had covered the news of classifying B.1.617 as a variant of global concern and termed the B.1.617 strain of the coronavirus as an “Indian Variant”.

“These media reports are without any basis and unfounded,” added the release.