Everchanging COVID Variants
Esther Olojo '23 Social Media Manager
Viruses become variants when their genes are altered or mutated. Since December 2020, several new variants of COVID-19 reported by the news media have been identified and are currently under investigation. Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classify coronavirus variants into distinct groups.
A covid variant of interest is a COVID variant with genetic traits that predict increased transmissibility immune evasion, diagnostic tests evasion, or more severe symptoms when compared to earlier forms of the virus. A variant of concern is a COVID variant that has been found to be more infectious or more likely to produce breakthrough or reinfection to those who have been vaccinated or previously infected. These variants are much more likely to cause severe symptoms, elude detection, and resist antiviral treatment. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has four variants that can be categorized as variants of concern: alpha, beta, gamma and delta. A variant of high consequence is a variant for which no current vaccinations provide protection against. There are currently no high-risk SARS-CoV-2 mutations.
The more dominant Variants in the U.S include: omicron, delta, beta, and alpha. The current variant of interest is omicron. It’s unclear whether omicron is more transmissible or easier to transfer from person to person than other variants, such as delta. The number of people testing positive has increased, but epidemiologic studies are planned to determine if this is due to omicron or other variables. The majority of diagnoses were made in children and teenagers. According to preliminary data, hospitalization rates are rising, however, this could be attributed to an increase in the general number of people affected rather than a specific Omicron illness. There is no evidence that the symptoms associated with omicron are different from those associated with other variants at this time. All COVID-19 variants, including the globally widespread delta variant, can cause serious illness or death, especially in the most vulnerable individuals, hence prevention is always the best option.
Vaccination has been the most successful way to prevent contraction and spread of the COVID virus. However, it is unclear how successful vaccinations will be against the omicron variant in the United States. With the first case of the variant, the person had been completely vaccinated, and the second had also had a booster dose. According to the CDC, there is an indication that omicron-infected people who have been vaccinated will be able to spread the virus to others. According to preliminary laboratory findings, vaccine-generated antibodies are less effective at neutralizing omicron, while supplement injections can assist to restore some of that effectiveness. The efficiency of vaccines against omicron infection is likely to decline, although not totally, whereas effectiveness against severe symptoms is expected to improve.
Masks overall provide protection against all variants. The CDC highly recommends wearing masks not only in public settings, but also indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Health officials urge people to use medical grade masks as a stronger form of protection, such as a N95, KN95 or KF94 or even surgical masks.
The delta variant, the variant we’ve heard the most about so far, was the most prominent version of COVID-19 until omicron took its place in mid-december. However, the delta variant still persists, which is alarming because data suggest that it is more infectious and spreads more quickly than other variants, even in people who have been vaccinated. There are over a dozen mutations that have been discovered. Delta is thought to cause more than twice as many infections than earlier variants, and is 80-90% more contagious than the alpha variant observed in Connecticut. In the United States, the arrival of delta in June 2021 coincided with a sudden reversal of a gradual drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Even in the most vaccinated states, there were spikes in the fall of 2021, prompting health professionals to recommend that patients receive their booster shots. For people who haven't been vaccinated, delta may create more serious symptoms than other variants. The CDC highlighted early research from Scotland and Canada that found delta was more likely to lead to hospitalization for people who are unvaccinated. According to a study published last summer, people diagnosed with delta had twice the chance of hospitalization as people with alpha.
A covid variant of interest is a COVID variant with genetic traits that predict increased transmissibility immune evasion, diagnostic tests evasion, or more severe symptoms when compared to earlier forms of the virus. A variant of concern is a COVID variant that has been found to be more infectious or more likely to produce breakthrough or reinfection to those who have been vaccinated or previously infected. These variants are much more likely to cause severe symptoms, elude detection, and resist antiviral treatment. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has four variants that can be categorized as variants of concern: alpha, beta, gamma and delta. A variant of high consequence is a variant for which no current vaccinations provide protection against. There are currently no high-risk SARS-CoV-2 mutations.
The more dominant Variants in the U.S include: omicron, delta, beta, and alpha. The current variant of interest is omicron. It’s unclear whether omicron is more transmissible or easier to transfer from person to person than other variants, such as delta. The number of people testing positive has increased, but epidemiologic studies are planned to determine if this is due to omicron or other variables. The majority of diagnoses were made in children and teenagers. According to preliminary data, hospitalization rates are rising, however, this could be attributed to an increase in the general number of people affected rather than a specific Omicron illness. There is no evidence that the symptoms associated with omicron are different from those associated with other variants at this time. All COVID-19 variants, including the globally widespread delta variant, can cause serious illness or death, especially in the most vulnerable individuals, hence prevention is always the best option.
Vaccination has been the most successful way to prevent contraction and spread of the COVID virus. However, it is unclear how successful vaccinations will be against the omicron variant in the United States. With the first case of the variant, the person had been completely vaccinated, and the second had also had a booster dose. According to the CDC, there is an indication that omicron-infected people who have been vaccinated will be able to spread the virus to others. According to preliminary laboratory findings, vaccine-generated antibodies are less effective at neutralizing omicron, while supplement injections can assist to restore some of that effectiveness. The efficiency of vaccines against omicron infection is likely to decline, although not totally, whereas effectiveness against severe symptoms is expected to improve.
Masks overall provide protection against all variants. The CDC highly recommends wearing masks not only in public settings, but also indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Health officials urge people to use medical grade masks as a stronger form of protection, such as a N95, KN95 or KF94 or even surgical masks.
The delta variant, the variant we’ve heard the most about so far, was the most prominent version of COVID-19 until omicron took its place in mid-december. However, the delta variant still persists, which is alarming because data suggest that it is more infectious and spreads more quickly than other variants, even in people who have been vaccinated. There are over a dozen mutations that have been discovered. Delta is thought to cause more than twice as many infections than earlier variants, and is 80-90% more contagious than the alpha variant observed in Connecticut. In the United States, the arrival of delta in June 2021 coincided with a sudden reversal of a gradual drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Even in the most vaccinated states, there were spikes in the fall of 2021, prompting health professionals to recommend that patients receive their booster shots. For people who haven't been vaccinated, delta may create more serious symptoms than other variants. The CDC highlighted early research from Scotland and Canada that found delta was more likely to lead to hospitalization for people who are unvaccinated. According to a study published last summer, people diagnosed with delta had twice the chance of hospitalization as people with alpha.
via Gavi: the Vaccine Alliance
In the United States, all three vaccinations are regarded as highly effective in preventing serious delta-related symptoms, hospitalizations and death. Delta has caused breakthrough infections in some patients who have been properly vaccinated. Infected vaccinated people can also transmit the virus to others, however they will most likely be contagious for a shorter period of time. It is still being determined if vaccinated people with the virus but no symptoms can transfer it to others.
With the beta variant, experts were concerned about the virus’s many mutations and its ability to avios antibody detection. Beta is uncommon in the United States, and cases have declined in other nations as the world’s attention has shifted to the delta and, later, the omicron variants. Beta is 50% more infectious than the original coronavirus strain, according to the CDC. Beta may be more likely than other variants to result in hospitalization and mortality according to data.
The earliest of the most publicized variants was alpha. In November 2020, alpha initially appeared in the U.K, and infections spiked in December of that year. It quickly spread all around the world and eventually became the most common variant in the United States, where the CDC classified it as a variant of concern. With the more prominent delta variant surfacing, alpha died out. It was assumed that some mutations in alpha’s spike protein made it more contagious. According to a research released in June of 2020 by the CDC, alpha accounted for 66 percent of cases in the United States in mid- April 20, before delta became prevalent. According to studies, the alpha lineage is more likely than the original virus to send infected patients to the hospital and is also deadlier. In alpha cases, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have all stated that their vaccinations are beneficial in preventing serious disease and hospitalization.
So far, Howard County has distributed KN95 and N95 Masks for the community after Governor Hogan announced that local health departments would begin distribution. Now, free at-home test kits are accessible from the federal government. Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman stresses that the best way to prevent the spread of Covid and other variants is to get vaccinated, get a booster shot as soon as you’re eligible, get tested if you are experiencing symptoms and wear your mask in indoor public places or crowded settings.
With the beta variant, experts were concerned about the virus’s many mutations and its ability to avios antibody detection. Beta is uncommon in the United States, and cases have declined in other nations as the world’s attention has shifted to the delta and, later, the omicron variants. Beta is 50% more infectious than the original coronavirus strain, according to the CDC. Beta may be more likely than other variants to result in hospitalization and mortality according to data.
The earliest of the most publicized variants was alpha. In November 2020, alpha initially appeared in the U.K, and infections spiked in December of that year. It quickly spread all around the world and eventually became the most common variant in the United States, where the CDC classified it as a variant of concern. With the more prominent delta variant surfacing, alpha died out. It was assumed that some mutations in alpha’s spike protein made it more contagious. According to a research released in June of 2020 by the CDC, alpha accounted for 66 percent of cases in the United States in mid- April 20, before delta became prevalent. According to studies, the alpha lineage is more likely than the original virus to send infected patients to the hospital and is also deadlier. In alpha cases, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have all stated that their vaccinations are beneficial in preventing serious disease and hospitalization.
So far, Howard County has distributed KN95 and N95 Masks for the community after Governor Hogan announced that local health departments would begin distribution. Now, free at-home test kits are accessible from the federal government. Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman stresses that the best way to prevent the spread of Covid and other variants is to get vaccinated, get a booster shot as soon as you’re eligible, get tested if you are experiencing symptoms and wear your mask in indoor public places or crowded settings.