New COVID-19 variant identified in Brazilian Amazon spreads faster A new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, identified in Brazil, is likely more transmissible than its parent strain because of mutations in the spike protein, according to researchers. The P1 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, found in the city of Manaus, has a number of mutations compared to the B.1.1.28 lineage, especially in the spike protein region, says Esther Sabino, one of the researchers involved in its genetic characterization. This would lead to an increase in its transmissibility, although it is not known currently whether it would also lead to an increased risk of severe infections, researchers say.