All viruses change over time. As a virus reproduces, copying errors can occur to its genes. Over time, these genetic copying errors can change how the virus infects people and animals. This is how Covid Variants are made. Mutations can allow a virus to cause more severe disease, become more contagious, or resist vaccines. As mutations accumulate, the surface of the virus can look different than the original version. When this occurs, vaccines and immunity from previous infections no longer protect against infection. People become vulnerable to the newer mutated viruses. This happens continually with influenza viruses so people need to get yearly influenza vaccines. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been monitoring the COVID-19 virus since January 2020. The first variants were identified in late 2020. The WHO started calling variants by the changes in their genetic sequences but it was hard for people to keep track of them. So COVID-19 variants are now identified by letters of the Greek alphabet. The first four variants are called Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. They are considered Variants of Concern (VOC) because they cause increased sickness/fatality rates and/or vaccines are less effective. The WHO has also identified 4 additional COVID-19 variants called Eta, Iota, Kappa, and Lambda. They are considered Variants of Interest (VOI) because they MAY cause more severe disease or resist vaccinations.   

How Are Covid Variants Different from Other Strains?

Alpha

The COVID-19 Alpha variant was originally called B.1.1.7 and it first appeared in the United Kingdom in September 2020. Many people referred to it as the UK variant. It quickly spread across Europe and it became the most common strain in the U.S. by April 2021. The Alpha variant is much more contagious than the original strain by approximately 50%. According to some scientists, infection with the Alpha variant leads to a higher risk of death. The outside of the COVID virus is made up of spikes that attach to human cells. The spikes on the Alpha variant allow the virus to bind more closely to the cells and stick around the body for a longer time. This gives more time for the virus to be transmitted to other people, makes it more contagious. 

Beta

The COVID-19 Beta variant was originally called B.1.351 and it first appeared in South Africa in September 2020. Many people referred to it as the South African variant. It quickly spread, and almost all new cases of COVID-19 infections in South Africa were due to the Beta variant. It then faded into the background and now makes up only a small percentage of cases worldwide. The Beta variant was first detected in the U.S. in January 2021 but no cases have been reported recently. The Beta variant is much more contagious than the original strain by approximately 50%. The Beta variant features an “Eek” mutation that affects the spikes on the outside of the virus. This mutation helps the virus evade protection from vaccines or immunity from previous infections. The AstraZeneca vaccine does not protect people well from the Beta variant. The effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine against the Beta variant dropped from 72% to 57% in South Africa. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines protect the Beta variant but are slightly less effective.  

Gamma

The COVID-19 Gamma variant was originally called P.1 and it first appeared in Brazil in December 2020. Some people referred to it as the Brazilian variant. It drove record-breaking surges in Brazil, especially the city of Manaus. Many people were reinfected by the Gamma variant after recovering from the original COVID-19 strain. The Gamma variant now causes approximately 90% of COVID-19 cases in Brazil and Chile. The Gamma variant was first detected in the U.S. in January 2021 but few cases have been reported recently. The Gamma variant is very similar to the Beta variant as it shares the “Eek” mutation.  

Delta

The COVID-19 Delta variant was originally called B.1.617.2 and it first appeared in India in late 2020. Some people referred to it as the Indian variant. It drove record-breaking surges in India and is now the dominant strain for COVID-19 infections across the globe. Countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa are seeing most of their COVID-19 cases come from the Delta variant. It is now responsible for approximately 80% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Scientists believe that the Delta variant is the most contagious variant yet and it has some ability to get around the body’s immune defenses. The Delta variant has several mutations that make it more dangerous than the original strain, including protein spikes that bind more closely to human cells. The rise of the Delta variant has caused COVID-19 infections to a spike in the U.S. and around the world. 

The Delta variant is much more dangerous than the original COVID-19 strain. Recent research showed that the viral load from Delta is very high, approximately 1,000 times that of the original strain and 10 times the Alpha variant. This means that people can become much sicker and they will remain contagious for longer periods of time. The Delta variant viral load is also the same for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. This means that people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are just as contagious as people who have not received the vaccine. Unlike the original strain, the Delta variant is also capable of causing infections in people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 although symptoms are far less severe.  

Protecting Yourself Against the Delta Covid Variant

Because the Delta variant is so dangerous, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recently revised its recommendations for wearing masks in public spaces. All Americans should resume wearing masks in indoor public spaces in regions where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly. COVID-19 hot spots include Manhattan, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the entire state of Florida. This recommendation includes people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All people who are immunocompromised or live with vulnerable household members should wear masks in indoor spaces. The CDC also recommended that all students, teachers, and staff at K-12 schools wear masks whether or not they are vaccinated. 

Conclusion

The rise of COVID-19 variants means that it is essential for people to take correct precautions to prevent infection spread. DiaMedical USA has a wide variety of infection control supplies and personal protection equipment in stock and ready to ship. 3-ply and KN95 face masks are in stock for adults and smaller-sized pediatric 3-ply masks for children. NIOSH-approved N95 masks are in stock for healthcare professionals. Disinfectant cleaners, gloves, and touch-free thermometers are also ready to ship. Check the CDC website for updates on how to keep yourself and others safe.

Please visit the DiaMedical USA Infection Control page to see all of the available products. DiaMedical USA is working hard to provide customers with all of the resources to fight the spread of COVID-19 infection. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical USA expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com.