The coronavirus mutation first identified in Britain has now spread to 50 countries, territories and areas, as per the World Health Organization. A similar strain identified in South Africa has now been found in 20 countries, territories and areas.

The WHO has also noted a third new coronavirus "variant of concern" identified in Japan may affect the immune response and calls for further investigation. The WHO has stated, "The more the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, the more opportunities it has to change. High levels of transmission mean that we should expect more variants to emerge." The agency stated that it was notified by Japan on January 9 of a new variant identified in four travelers arriving from Brazil, two adults and two children. This variant has 12 mutations to the spike protein, which include three mutations of concern in common with VOC 202012/01 and 501Y.V2… (NDTV - Agence France-Presse, January 13, 2021)