First identification of SARS-CoV-2 Lambda (C.37) variant in Southern Brazil.

In June 15, 2021, the lineage Lambda (C.37) of SARS-CoV-2 was considered a variant of interest (VOI) by the World Health Organization. This lineage has high prevalence in some South America countries but it was described only occasionally in Brazil. Here we describe the first report of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant in Southern Brazil. The sequence described in this paper presented all the eight C.37 defining lineage mutations (ORF1a gene: {Delta}3675-3677; Spike gene: {Delta}246-252, G75V, T76I, L452Q, F490S, D614G, and T859N) in addition to other 19 mutations. Considering that this VOI has been associated with high rates of transmissibility, the possible spread in the Southern Brazilian community is a matter of concern.