WHO Is Monitoring 10 COVID-19 Variants Of 'Interest' And 'Concern' Worldwide KEY POINTS WHO is currently monitoring seven COVID-19 variants "of interest" and three variants "of concern" The "variants of concern" are more contagious and dangerous than the original strain of the virus WHO said it will conduct more studies to determine the significance of the India COVID-19 variant The World Health Organization on Monday said it was closely monitoring 10 COVID-19 variants, including two strains found in the United States. WHO officials are currently observing seven coronavirus variants “of interest” and three variants “of concern” as potential global public health threats. The variants classified under the more contagious and more dangerous “of concern” label include B.1.1.7 from U.K., B.1.351 found in South Africa and P.1 from Brazil.