CDC LOCS Lab Advisory: SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classification Updates

On August 17, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.427 and B.1.429 from the Variants of Interest list due to declining prevalence and very few detections in recent months. Vaccines authorized for use in the United States are effective against these variants and effective therapeutics are available.

In addition to variants of interest and variants of concern, CDC continues to monitor all variants circulating within the United States.

For more information, please visit the SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions page and the COVID Data Tracker.

Please share this message with your networks and invite them to opt in to LOCS to receive future updates.

Online resources: 

• Information for Laboratories about Coronavirus (COVID-19) 
• Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Laboratories
• CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website
• CDC Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS)
• Clinical Laboratory COVID-19 Response Calls

Questions? 

• If you are a clinical or public health laboratory professional, contact LOCS.
• For media inquiries, contact the CDC Newsroom.
• For all other questions, contact CDC-INFO.

This Lab Advisory was originally published by the CDC Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS).