COVID-19 Variants:
Viruses constantly change through mutation. Variants of any specific virus are usually expected to emerge throughout long periods. Not all variants survive, with many emerging then disappearing. Sometimes, however, variants emerge and persist.
Multiple variations of the COVID-19 virus have been detected and recorded throughout the United States and globally during this pandemic.
COVID-19 is part of a large family of viruses, called coronavirus.
According to the CDC, the UK, South Africa, and Brazil have variants that now circulate globally. These variants appear to spread more easily and quickly. Easier spreading usually leads to more cases, which in turn put more strain on health care resources, leading to more hospitalizations and potentially higher deaths.
More studies and information is needed to understand how widespread these variants have become, and how they differ from each other. Vaccine, test, and therapy effectiveness could also potentially be affected, though that isn’t clear at the moment.