New variants of the virus were meant to emerge and are a part of the evolution of the virus. It is however necessary to closely monitor each variant that surfaces and be precautious and prepared for the worst. Hence, a list of the variants appears below to know more about each precisely.
1. Alpha (B.1.1.7)
It was detected by genomic sequencing and was reported to be 43% to 32% more transmissible. It surpasses variants that are pre-existing and emerges as the dominant variant in the UK.
2. Beta (B.1.351)
The variant resulted in several increased mutations which led to the second wave of the Coronavirus infections in South Africa. The variant transmits easily and does not neutralize easily by monoclonal antibody therapy.
3. Gamma (P.1)
This variant includes 10 mutations in the spike protein and three mutations in the RBD. The variant made its entry into 45 countries. This variant does not neutralize easily through monoclonal antibody treatments.
4. Delta (B.1.617.2)
The variant was initially regarded as a variant of interest and it rapidly spread globally and resulted in the second wave of infections in India. It involves 10 mutations of the spike protein.
5. Omicron (B.1.1.529)
It resulted in a staggering rise in the number of cases in South Africa. It even includes several other mutations of the spike protein and non-structural proteins.
6. Epsilon (B.1.427 and B.1.429)
This new variant of corona is known for its staggering surge in transmission, which is relative to the circulation of the wild-type strain. The variant involves specific mutations and due to its rapid transmissibility, it was classified as a covid variant of concern in the US.
7. Zeta (P.2)
The variant has key spike mutations and possesses a potential reduction capacity of neutralization by treatments with antibodies and vaccine sera. The variant was detected first in Brazil.
8. Theta (P.3)
The variant involves key spike mutations and is categorized as a variant of interest. It was detected first in the Philippines.
9. Eta (B.1.525)
This variant involves key spike mutations and was categorised as a variant of interest due to its potential capacity to reduce the neutralization through antibody treatments and the vaccine sera. It was first detected in New York.
10. Iota (B.1.526)
This variant is one of interest and it increases infection fatality rate by substantial percentages. It is a spike protein fragment.
11. Kappa (B.1.617.1)
The variant involves key mutations and gets categorized as a variant of interest. It involves the spike Pseudotyping Vector.
New COVID Variants Under Monitoring
These variants are currently under monitoring:
1. Mu (B.1.621)
It was detected in Columbia and was noted as a variant of interest. It involves constellation mutations.
2. Lambda (C.37)
The variant was first identified in Peru. It was highly present in several regions of South America. It subsequently spread to 41 countries and 4 continents.
Although new COVID variants are in circulation with the older variant, the older variant are existing at negligible or undetectable levels. They however are not a threat as significant to global public health.
