What You Need to Know About COVID Variants
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
The COVID battle continues as new strains enter the scene. This is fairly typical of viruses, and the development of new strains is not something scientists are surprised to see.
Take the flu, for example. This is a virus that comes back every year with a slightly different strain than the last. Researchers use information from previous years’ flu strains to develop the flu shot for the upcoming year.
However, the issue with virus variants is sometimes the new strains are stronger than the past strains, and that is the case with the Delta variant of COVID.
The Delta variant was first reported in December 2020 in India, and it quickly worked its way through the entire country and then the U.K. before coming to the U.S. where cases exploded.
Today, the Delta variant is the most common COVID variant and, according to the CDC, over 99% of the current COVID-19 cases are Delta.
Thus, it’s important to know more about Omicron, Delta, and Delta Plus, as well as other potential COVID variants so everyone can stay as safe as possible and keep cases to a minimum.
The Omicron Variant
Fresh on the COVID scene is the Omicron variant. At this point, it is fairly early since its onset, so the CDC says “the current severity of illness and death associated with this variant is unclear.”
It is thought that the Omicron may spread more easily than Delta, but again – not enough information is known.
Evidence shows that this variant originated in South Africa and is spreading from there.
According to the CDC:
Breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are expected, but vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Early evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Omicron variant can spread the virus to others.
As of right now, the WHO states “there is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants.”
More information is expected to become available as more studies into this particular variant are conducted.
The Delta Variant
The Delta COVID variant is thought to be twice as contagious as the previous COVID variants. In addition to that, studies also show people are more likely to land in the hospital with a Delta infection.
Scientists are also finding Delta seems to be hitting younger people more than the Alpha variant, which at first seemed to be a bigger concern for older populations.
The Delta variant is not running rampant just among the unvaccinated – vaccinated people are contracting it as well. Thus, it is important that additional precautions are taken to keep communities as safe as possible. We will share more on that below.
Reports of symptoms for the Delta variant are something to note, as they are different than the Alpha strain. For the original COVID strain, most people suffered from loss of smell and a cough. Though that is still the case for some who have the Delta variant, more people are finding that they have a sore throat, runny nose, headache, and fever.
The Delta Plus Variant
The Delta Plus is a sub-variant of Delta that was first reported in India but has since moved to the U.K., the U.S., and more.
There is not enough information known about this sub-variant yet as it is quite new to the scene. More data is needed to determine whether it’s more transmissible than other variants or whether it’s something we don’t need to lose sleep over. As of right now, scientists are saying there is no clear sign Delta Plus is going to rock the world in the same way the original Delta did in summer 2021, but it is always a good idea to practice COVID safety.
Future Variants
According to the CDC, “new variants of the virus are expected to occur.” As we mentioned above, that is fairly typical of virus variants.
But, we’ve got some good news. In the United States, many people have built up natural immunity or immunity through vaccinations, so unless the new variants mutate to where they can’t be detected by antibodies, future variants shouldn’t completely take our country and world by storm.
However, it is important to always err on the safe side and follow COVID safety guidelines.
COVID Safety
To keep COVID cases to a minimum and to lessen the severity of potential variants, we all need to practice COVID safety.
Here are some of the things you can do to protect yourself and others.
Vaccine
FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are shown to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization resulting from COVID-19.
Head to a Sameday Health location in Virginia or New York to get your COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID Testing
The best way to protect yourself and others against the spread of COVID-19 is to get tested regularly. Before and after visiting family, getting together with large groups of people, attending events, and more are key times you want to get COVID tested.
Since the Delta variant is twice as contagious as the original COVID strain, it is in your best interest (and the interest of others) to get tested as often as possible to ensure you are staying safe.
Sameday Health has locations all over the country where you can get your COVID test done conveniently in a matter of minutes.
And if you don’t want to fuss with heading to one of our locations, we can come to you. Sameday Health recently launched our House Call service where a Sameday nurse can bring COVID testing to your home or any other location that’s best for you.
Masks
As stated by the CDC, “wearing a mask is an effective way to reduce the spread of earlier forms of the virus, the Delta variant and other known variants.”
Regardless of whether you are vaccinated, masks should be worn at all times indoors in public as well as around people who are immunocompromised or are at high risk of complications with COVID.
