SARS-CoV-2 variants: National definitions, classifications and public health actions

The Public Health Agency of Canada, in collaboration with provincial and territorial public health authorities, established the Canadian SARS-CoV-2 Variant Surveillance Group (CSVSG) to monitor and assess the impact of variants of SARS-CoV-2 on viral transmissibility, disease severity, and efficacy of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. The CSVSG has developed national definitions, classifications, and public health actions for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest (VOI) and Variants of Concern (VOC).