https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/08/13/the-lambda-covid-variant-is-in-california-5-things-to-know/ > A new COVID-19 variant — named lambda — has arrived in California. > The emerging lambda variant has been popping up in the news as it spreads rapidly throughout South America. In California, at least 152 cases have been reported, the first as early as September 2020, according to state public health officials.