The P.1 coronavirus variant is twice as transmissible as earlier strains
The variant first found in Brazil can evade some immunity from previous infections
![man riding a bicycle in front of cemetery graves in Manaus, Brazil](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/041421_ts_p1-variant_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
A coronavirus variant called P.1 was first identified in the hard-hit city of Manaus, Brazil, where COVID-19 has taken a terrible toll. Many pandemic victims are buried in the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Cemetery (shown).
Sandro Pereira/Fotoarena/Sipa USA