Virus mutation is a common occurrence. In fact, it is
expected to happen. As such, we have seen the identification of several
COVID-19 variants. Sometimes new strains will resolve on their own, and at
times, they persist and are more severe than the original virus. These
mutations occur due to a change in the virus’s genes.
What are the COVID-19 Variants?
The currently identified COVID-19 strains are B.1.1.7
(Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.617.2 (Delta). These variants were
found in the United States and other countries. In this post, we will explore
the four new strains of the COVID-19 virus.
The variant, COVID-19B.1.351 (Beta), is rather prevalent
in the United States and Brazil. It was first noticed in South Africa in
December 2020 and identified in the United States a few weeks later. January
2021 led to the discovery of the COVID-19 P.1 (Gamma) strain. According to the CDC, P.1. was identified in travelers
at a Japanese airport who traveled from Brazil. A few isolated cases have been
reported in the United States and Brazil.
The COVID-19 strain B.1.7 (Delta) is relatively
uncommon. The first cases of this variant were found in India around December
2020. Then in January 2021, COVID-19 Delta got identified in the United States.
The final strain is B.1.1.7 (Alpha), which was discovered in the United States
in December 2020; however, it originated from the United Kingdom. So far, it is
the most common strain.
How can I
Identify a COVID-19 Variant?
Infection with the COVID-19 mutations gets diagnosed
through blood tests, but most will not detect these four strains. However, The New York Times
reported that "scientists have
agreed, there is no evidence that the known variants of concern are causing
tests to fail completely." The symptoms of the COVID-19 variants are
similar to those experienced by people infected by the regular SARS-CoV-2, such
as fever, headache, cough, sore throat/sore muscles (myalgia), fatigue, or
malaise.
How are the COVID-19 Variants Treated?
As we know, there is no specific treatment against
COVID-19. So the world has been depending on vaccines to provide immunity and
virus control. However, Hopkins Medicine asserts that, "researchers have found that the
COVID-19 vaccine from Oxford-AstraZeneca provides "minimal"
protection from the B.1.351 version of the coronavirus." The other
vaccines offer less efficacy against the variants, as well. The CDC advises
that we continue to practice coronavirus safety measures, like wearing a mask,
physical distancing, and hand washing or sanitizing to decrease the risk of
infection.
Each day we learn more about these strains and
scientists are working tirelessly to understand more about them. So far, we
know that these variants spread more easily than the original form of the virus
and the vaccines offer lower protection, which companies are working to remedy.
So we must exercise caution. We are all in this fight together; let's help
protect ourselves and others by practicing the COVID-19 safety measures and
sharing credible information.
References
CDC. (2020,
February 11). About Variants of the Virus that Causes COVID-19. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant.html
New
Variants of Coronavirus: What You Should Know. (2020). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/a-new-strain-of-coronavirus-what-you-should-know
What the
Coronavirus Variants Mean for Testing. (2021). The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/health/coronavirus-testing-variants.html