SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant (B.1.1.7 lineage). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Here the alpha variant is shown budding (blue dots) from a Vero mammalian kidney epithelial cell 24 hours after infection. The Alpha variant was first detected in September 2020 in the UK and quickly spread worldwide becoming a variant of concern (VOC), due to its higher transmissibility from human-to-human and enhanced clinical severity. Public health measures and travel restrictions were imposed globally during December 2020 to attempt and contain the spread of the Alpha variant. The Delta variant emerged from India in late 2020 and took over globally from the alpha variant later in 2021.The coronaviruses take their name from their crown (corona) of surface proteins, which are used to attach and penetrate their host cells. Magnification x 8000 at 10cm wide. Specimen courtesy of Greg Towers, UCL.