According to the Interfax news agency, the Gamma form of the novel coronavirus, which was initially discovered in Brazil, has been spotted in modest quantities in Russia, according to the inventor of Russia’s EpiVacCorona vaccine.

Authorities in Russia are reporting an increase in coronavirus cases, which they attribute to the Delta strain and a sluggish vaccination rate. In the last 24 hours, Russia recorded 24,471 new COVID-19 cases and 796 deaths linked to the coronavirus.

The Vector Institute in Siberia developed EpiVacCorona, Russia’s second of four vaccinations to be approved. Russia’s flagship vaccination is Sputnik V.

“The Delta variant is widespread on the territory of the Russian Federation, with isolated cases of the Gamma variant detected,” Interfax cited the institute as saying.

The institute said the Delta and Gamma variants were categorized as “causing concern” because they spread more easily and can reduce the effectiveness of antibodies.