Indian COVID-19 variant found in 44 countries, Britain reports most cases: WHO The UN health agency said the B.1.617 variant of COVID-19 had been detected in more than 4,500 samples from 44 countries in all six WHO regions. (Image Source: Reuters) Updated: May 12, 2021, 10:03 AM IST The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that the 'Indian strain' of the COVID-19 or the double mutant variant which has triggered a second wave in India, has been detected in at least 44 countries around the world. The UN health agency said the B.1.617 variant of COVID-19, first found in India in October, had been detected in more than 4,500 samples uploaded to an open-access database 'from 44 countries in all six WHO regions'.