Covid-19 – Keeping up with the ever-changing Covid-19 news is understandably challenging at times. With new variants coming out, it’s hard to keep track of it all. So, what should you know about Covid-19 and the current variants that have been discovered? Keep reading as we go over the essentials that you should know to stay up-to-date.
Federal data shows that a new variant now makes up a plurality of COVID-19 cases in the United States. EG.5, an offshoot of the omicron variant and descendant of the XBB strain, has been circulating in the country since at least April. However, as of Aug. 5, it accounts for 17.3% of COVID infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is an increase from the 1.1% of cases it was estimated to make up at the end of May, CDC data shows.
What Covid-19 Variants Have Been Discovered?
As of right now, tons of Covid-19 variants have been discovered, with more likely to come out in the near future. Variants of a virus, such as Covid-19, change structure all the time, creating even more variants. That said, according to the World Health Organization’s tracking board, these are the current variants that have been discovered so far:
- Alpha B.1.1.7
- Beta B.1.351
- Gamma P.1
- Delta B.1.617.2
- Lambda C.37
- Mu B.1.621
- 1
- 1.466.2
- 1.1.318
- 1.1.519
- 36.3
- 1.214.2
- 1.427
- 1.429
- 1.1.523
- 1.619
- 1.620
- 1.2
- 1.617.1
- 1.526
- 1.525
- 1.630
It may seem like a lot to keep up with, but there are just a few variants to be extremely wary of. According to the WHO, six variants are enough of a concern that they are named in an easier way to understand. Let’s go over some of the most prevalent variants to watch out for today.
What Variants Should We Be Aware of?
According to the CDC, one of the main variants that is concerning in the United States is the Delta variant. Most people have likely heard of this variant and know how contagious it is for people across America. In fact, it may even be responsible for around 98% of Covid-19 cases.
Another variant that’s recently emerged is called Omicron. This variant is another one that’s quite contagious and is starting to be more expected this year. That said, there are other variants that people should protect themselves from, which is why it’s essential to get vaccinated. Next, we’ll discuss how the vaccine affects different variants of Covid-19.
Is the Vaccine Effective for Every Variant?
Now that you know about the different Covid-19 variants, you may be wondering if the vaccine is effective against them all. In short, the answer is likely to be yes. It’s unlikely that a new variant will emerge that would be able to evade vaccines while being harmful.
So, this is why people should get vaccinated against Covid-19 and protect themselves from each emerging variant.
How Can You Learn More About Covid-19?
Therefore, if you want to learn more about Covid-19 variants, mask mandates, and vaccine information, you can follow the PeopleFinders blog. Stay updated by following the News section of the blog, where you’ll find information on all types of current events.
Final Thoughts
All in all, keeping up with the latest Covid-19 information is challenging but essential. So, keep an eye out for new emerging variants, get vaccinated, and stay healthy during these unprecedented times.