It is a relative to the delta variant, which was identified by British scientists last week.

It is not a variant of concern or interest so it has not been named officially after a letter from the Greek alphabet.

Scientists are currently monitoring the AY.4.2 variant, which is a delta-related variant. To determine if the coronavirus variant AY.4.2 is more dangerous or more spreadable than other versions, scientists are monitoring it closely. According to a U.K. report, this variant accounts for 6% of all COVID-19 cases analyzed in the country. It is currently "on an increasing trajectory."

Two mutations have been found in spike protein, which is what allows the coronavirus to invade cells. Francois Balloux is the director of University College London's Genetics Institute. These changes were also seen in other viruses since the pandemic.

Maria Van Kerkhove (the World Health Organization's technical leader on COVID-19), said that the delta variant is still "by far" the most dominant in terms of global circulation.

She said that Delta is the dominant virus, but Delta is changing.

The U.N. is currently monitoring 20 variants of the delta variant. Van Kerkhove stated that the AY.4.2 should be "watched because we must continuously keep an eye out for how this virus changes."

The U.S. Delta variant accounts for almost all COVID-19 cases. Health officials stated that although the "delta plus" variant was occasionally spotted, it is not yet a concern.