WHO classifies Covid-19 variant first identified in India as a variant of concern From CNN’s Virginia Langmaid The World Health Organization has classified the B.1.617 Covid-19 variant, which was first identified in India, as a variant of concern, the WHO’s technical lead for Covid-19 said during a news briefing on Monday. A “variant of concern” label indicates that the identified variant may show, among other indicators, evidence of increased transmissibility or evidence of increased severity. “There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility of B.1.617,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Covid-19 technical lead. Quantifying the risk posed by the variant will require real-world data in addition to greater genomic surveillance, WHO officials said.