• Some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons. In two different studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized than patients infected with Alpha or the original virus strains.
Is the COVID-19 Epsilon variant more infectious?
The Epsilon variant is gaining a higher profile as cases of COVID-19 spike among the unvaccinated, driven in part by the widely spread Delta variant.
In the lab, the Epsilon version proved to be more infectious than previous variants, and researchers have discovered three changes in its spike proteins.
How many variants of Covid are there?
In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of variants have been identified, four of which are considered “variants of concern” by the World Health Organization—Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta, all closely tracked by scientists on websites such as GiSAID and CoVariants.
What is a COVID-19 variant of interest?
A variant with specific genetic markers that have been associated with changes to receptor binding, reduced neutralization by antibodies generated against previous infection or vaccination, reduced efficacy of treatments, potential diagnostic impact, or predicted increase in transmissibility or disease severity.
When were the first human coronaviruses identified?
Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface. Human coronaviruses were first identified in the mid-1960s. They are closely monitored by public health officials.
Do the new COVID-19 variants spread more easily?
These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than the dominant strain, and they also may cause more severe illness, but more research is needed to make a determination.
Which Brazilian variant of COVID-19 is more transmissible?
A recent study conducted by investigators from Brazil, the United Kingdom and the University of Copenhagen has found that the COVID-19 variant P. 1, which originated in Brazil, is more transmissible than the original virus and is able to evade immunity. Results from the study were published in the journal Science.
Which types of settings does COVID-19 spread more easily?
The “Three C’s” are a useful way to think about this. They describe settings where transmission of the COVID-19 virus spreads more easily:
• Crowded places;
• Close-contact settings, especially where people have conversations very near each other;
• Confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
How much more contagious is the Delta variant of COVID-19?
• The Delta variant is more contagious: The Delta variant is highly contagious, more than 2x as contagious as previous variants.
What are the most common symptoms of the Delta variant of COVID-19?
Fever and cough are present in both types, but headaches, sinus congestion, sore throats and runny noses all appear to be more common with the Delta strain. Excessive sneezing is also a symptom. Loss of taste and smell, considered a hallmark symptom of the original virus, may happen less frequently.
How effective are Delta variants of COVID-19 vaccines?
About the Delta Variant: Vaccines are highly effective against severe illness, but the Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Is it possible to be reinfected with COVID-19?
Although persons with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are largely protected, subsequent infection is possible for some persons due to lack of sterilizing immunity. Some re-infected individuals could have a similar capacity to transmit virus as those infected for the first time.
How is the new mutation of COVID-19 different from the original strain?
Compared to the original strain, people infected with the new strain — called 614G — have higher viral loads in their nose and throat, though they don’t seem to get any sicker. But they are much more contagious to others.
What is the difference between a variant and a lineage for COVID-19?
Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 continuously evolve as mistakes (genetic mutations) occur during replication of the genome. A lineage is a genetically closely related group of virus variants derived from a common ancestor. A variant has one or more mutations that differentiate it from other variants of the SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
What is the Delta variant?
The delta variant is a strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the delta variant was first identified in India in December 2020, and it was detected in the United States in March 2021.
How does COVID-19 mainly spread?
Spread of COVID-19 occurs via airborne particles and droplets. People who are infected with COVID can release particles and droplets of respiratory fluids that contain the SARS CoV-2 virus into the air when they exhale (e.g., quiet breathing, speaking, singing, exercise, coughing, sneezing).
Do minks transmit COVID-19?
Infected workers likely introduced SARS-CoV-2 to mink on the farms, and the virus then began to spread among the mink. Once the virus is introduced on a farm, spread can occur between mink as well as from mink to other animals on the farm (dogs, cats).
How do new variants of COVID-19 emerge?
Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants persist. Numerous variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are being tracked in the United States and globally during this pandemic.
Do the current COVID-19 vaccines protect against the new variant?
• FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines help protect against Delta and other known variants.
• These vaccines are effective at keeping people from getting COVID-19, getting very sick, and dying.
Does the COVID-19 vaccine work on new mutations?
There is promising evidence to suggest that the current vaccines will protect you from most variants, or mutations, of COVID-19 that are currently spreading in the United States. It is possible that some variants might cause illness in some people after they are vaccinated. However, if a vaccine is found to be less effective, it could still offer some protection. Researchers are monitoring how the new COVID-19 variants may affect how vaccines will work in real-world scenarios. To learn more about vaccines and new variants, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Last updated 06/15/2021)
How long have coronaviruses existed?
The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all coronaviruses is estimated to have existed as recently as 8000 BCE, although some models place the common ancestor as far back as 55 million years or more, implying long term coevolution with bat and avian species.
Where did the coronavirus get its name?
Coronaviruses derive their name from the fact that under electron microscopic examination, each virion is surrounded by a “corona,” or halo.
Where did the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak start?
In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that originated in China.
The virus is now known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease it causes is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).