severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; SARS-CoV2; Wuhan coronavirus
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Introduction
- Covariants is a free & open source resource that provides an overview of SARS-CoV2 variants & mutations[21]
Epidemiology
Pathology
- see COVID-19
Genetics
- SARS-CoV2 is an RNA virus that appears most similar to 2 SARS-like coronaviruses that originated in bats[1]
alpha
- mutation VUI-202012/01 (B.1.1.7 dubbed 'alpha') discovered in the United Kingdom[9][33]
- has been found in Australia, Denmark, Iceland, Italy. the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, & Lebanon
- first case in U.S. found in Colorado[10]
- does not appear to cause more severe disease than other variants[9][24]
- English variant B.1.1.7 may be associated with higher risk of mortality than wild type SAS CoV2 (RR=1.6)[11][18][21]
- both vaccines being used in the U.K. are effective against the variant.
- appears to be a more transmissible (contagious) variant[9][10]
- 43-90% higher transmissibility than earlier strains[17]
- affects higher proportion of younger persons < 20 years of age[10]
- predicted to become most prevalent strain of virus in U.S. by March[12]
beta
- spike protein mutations called 501Y.V2 (K417N, E484K, & N501Y) discovered in South Africa (B.1.351 variant dubbed 'beta')[8][33]
- may cause more severe disease in younger patients
- neutralizing titers of Moderna's vaccine 6 fold lower than other strains
- still believed to be susceptible to the 2 FDA-approved mRNA vaccines
- detected in U.S., including California[8]
- neutralizing antibodies against B.1.351 reduced 20-40 fold with Moderna & Pfizer vaccines[20]
- reported susceptible to J&J Ad26.COV2.S vaccine (see COVID-19 vaccine)
- AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine does not appear to prevent infection from the B.1.351 variant[19]
- the B.1.351 strain appears to elicit a strong antibody response against several other strains[23]
- two linked clusters of B.1.351 infection identified in Maryland 2021 involving 17 individuals, two had received the 1st of a of a two-dose vaccine & one who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 5 months earlier, none with travel history[26]
- two people were hospitalized, one death[26]
- hospital admissions, & in-hospital mortality increased during the 2nd wave of COVID-19 in South Africa, when the Beta variant (B.1.351) was predominant[42]
gamma
- variant 20J/501Y.V3 or P.1 variant dubbed gamma discovered in Brazil
- P.1 variant is related to South African B.1.351[5][20]
- found in U.S. & is more transmissible[14][28]
- neutralizing antibodies from Moderna & Pfizer vaccines 5- to 6-fold less effective against the variants discovered in Brazil[20]
- breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated in French Guiana (87% symptomatic, no severe infections) 56% had received Pfizer vaccine[47]
- rapid spread of Gamma variant in Brazil, replaced other variants in < 3 months[59]
delta
- B.1.617.2 (dubbed 'delta') found in India carries 13 mutations, 7 in the spike protein, including the L452R mutation also found in CAL.20C & the E484Q mutation similar to the E484K mutation found in B.1.351 (South African) & P.1 (Brazilian) variants[27]
- found in Lancaster County, Nebraska May 2021[29]
- dominant variant in U.S, July 2021[40]
- to become the dominant variant globally due to increased transmissibility[37][39]
- one of the most infectious respiratory viruses known[45]
- people infected with the Delta variant carry ~1000 times more virus compared with previous versions of the virus[45]
- delta variant accounts for 83% of US Covid-19 cases July 2021[35]
- WHO reports delta makes up 99.5% of all genomic sequences reported to public databases Nov 2021, excepting South America where Gamma, Lambda & Mu contribute to cases[63]
- delta variant can cause symptoms 2-3 days sooner than the original coronavirus[63]
- people shed the Delta variant 2 days prior to onset of symptoms[52]
- the Delta variant has a transmissibility Ro of 6.4 higher than the Ro of 2-4 of the original SARS-CoV2[52]
- vaccinated persons 65% less likely than unvaccinated persons to transmit infection[52]
- vaccinated persons can still carry high viral loads in their nasopharynx[58]
- levels of virus decline more rapidly in vaccinated persons[63]
- vaccinated individuals infected with Delta variant carry high viral loads (CDC)[48]
- vaccinated persons can still carry high viral loads in their nasopharynx[58]
- Delta easily transmits from vaccinated people to household contacts[62]
- contacts less likely to become infected if vaccinated themselves[62]
- both mRNA vaccines likely effective against B.1.617.2 variant[30][39]
- BNT162b2 (Pfizer) or ChAdOx1 (Astra-Zeneca) nCoV-19 vaccines only modestly less effective against delta variant than alpha variant after 2 doses[46]
- B.1.617.2 found in the U.K.[32]
- delta variant doubles risk for hospitalization vs alpha variant[36]
- delta variant not more virulent in U.S. adults than previous variants[69]
- 2 vaccine doses provides strong protection against the Delta variant, albeit less than against the Alpha variant[36]
- Moderna vaccine appears to be 2-fold more effective against Delta variant in preventing breakthrough infections than the Pzifer vaccine[49]
- no differences in complications from Delta variant with either mRNA vaccine, with similar 21-day hospitalizations, 21-day ICU admissions, & 28-day mortality[49]
- since the Delta variant has become the dominant strain
- vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization has ranged from 75%-95%.[53]
- for adults > 75 years, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization is > 80% at the end of July 2021; for ages 18-49, efficacy is ~94%
- unvaccinated adults 17 times more likely to be hospitalized than vaccinated adults
- vaccine effectiveness against preventing infection ranges from 39%-84%
- vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization has ranged from 75%-95%.[53]
- delta variant B.1.617.2.1 (delta plus) with K417N mutation in spike protein also present in B.1.351 (South African or beta) variant may be even more transmissible[37]
- fully vaccinated adults can carry the same nasopharygeal viral load of delta variant as unvaccinated adults[51]
- delta variant infected 6 of 92 fully vaccinated guests at an outdoor wedding under a large, open-air tent in Texas. 1 of 6 died. 2 guests from India likely source.[43]
- teams made up of health & logistics experts from several federal agencies will conduct coronavirus testing, distribute medicines designed to fight the virus, & boost local & state efforts to increase vaccinations in 1000 counties where the delta variant is spreading rapidly June 2021[40]
epsilon
- CAL.20C (B.1.427/B.1.429) variant(s) (dubbed 'epsilon') or 'West Coast Strain'
- clade 20G (lineage B.1.2) with amino acid 677 substitution in spike protein[13]
- Q677P, Q677H
Eris
- Eris named for a dwarf planet in the solar system between Neptune & Pluto[118]
- EG.5 accounts for 17% of all U.S. COVID infections Aug 7, 2023
- up 12% from previous week[118]
- the most prevalent COVID-19 variants globally one August 23, 2023 were XBB.1.16 & EG.5 each comprising 25% of total[121]
- EG.5 is a descendant of the XBB strains
- same makeup as XBB.1.9.2 but carries an extra spike protein mutation[118]
- variants include EG.5.1 & EG.5.1.1
- no indication so far that EG.5 is more contagious or severe than other variants
- current vaccines protect against the variant (CDC)[118]
iota
eta
zeta
- P.2 (dubbed 'zeta'): decreased response to some antibody treatments.
- B.1.617.1 (dubbed 'kappa'): decreased response to some antibody treatments
- B.1.617.3 (no designation): decreased response to some antibody treatments
mu
- variant mu (B.1.621) first identified in Colombia
- since confirmed in at least 39 countries including US & UK[54]
- reduction in neutralization capacity of convalescent & vaccine sera similar to that seen for the Beta variant (unconfirmed)[54]
- 7 residents of a nursing home (all in 80s & 90s, some in poor conditiono) in Belgium have died after infection with B.1.621, despite being fully vaccinated[50]
- global prevalence has declined, currently < 0.1%; however prevalence in Colombia & Ecuador has consistently increased[54]
- Mu has mutations from Delta & also mutations from Alpha[57]
- World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring mu as a variant of interest[57]
Omicron variant
- variant, called B.1.1.529 1st identified in Botswana
- has been detected in Netherlands, South Africa, Hong Kong, Belgium, Israel & 17 states in the U.S., including California (12/6/21)[64]
- named Omicron variant by WHO
- variant contains > 30 mutations to the spike protein[64]
- Omicron variant may be more transmissible (WHO)[68]
- patients infected with Omicron remain contagious as long as patients infected with earlier variants >= 6 days[88]
- CDC estimates 95% of Covid-19 cases in U.S. due to Omicron variant Jan 5, 2022[75]
- data suggest Omicron may be less severe variant than Delta[71]
- Omicron variant appears to cause less damage to the lungs in studies with mice & hamsters where disease appears to be largelyt confined to upper airway[73]
- risk of hospitalization with Omicron 1/3 that of Delta[74]
- Omicron variant accountd for almost 100% of COVID-19 cases in the United States Feb 2022
- the 7-day average of daily COVID-related deaths hit 2,600 in Feb 2022, the highest rate in about a year
- Omicron ~1/2 as likely as Delta to cause long Covid-19 (~5%)[96]
- Omicron variant could make it more likely that people will need a 4th Covid-19 vaccine earlier than expected[67]
- Fauci says that boosters are effective against Omicron variant[67]
- prior SARS-CoV-2 infection less effective at preventing reinfection with Omicron vs prior variants; 56% for Omicron, 90% for Alpha, 86% for Beta, 92% for Delta[82]
- Regen-Cov less effective against Omicron variant in preliminary tests[65]
- Pfizer CEO thinks it unlikely Paxlovid will be less effective against Omicron[66]
- Moderna 50 ug booster increases antibodies to Omicron by 37-fold within 1 month[70]
- a 100 ug booster increases neutralizing antibodies 87-fold[70]
- a 3rd dose of Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine increases cross-reactive antibody responses sufficient to neutralize Omicron[77]
- majority of T cell response, induced by vaccination or natural infection, cross-recognises the Omicron variant[72]
- new, highly contagious subvariant of Omicron has emerged BA.2, or 'son of Omicron'[78]
- Omicron BA.1 is the original Omicron[86]
- Omicron subvariant BA.2 1.5-fold more contagious than BA.1[80]
- Omicron subvariant BA.2 23% of SARS-CoV2 variants in U.S. March 16, 2022[87], 55% of COVID variants in the U.S. March 26, 2022 according to CDC estimates
- BA.5 Omicron subvariant makes up ~80% of COVID-19 cases July 21, 2022[102]
- BA.2 may cause more severe disease than BA.1[84]
- BA.2 causes less severe disease than BA.1[89]
- BA.2 known as stealth variant because it is more difficult to detect[86]
- BA.2.12.1 accounts for 26% of sequenced genomes in North America May 2022[94]
- no real-world evidence that BA.2 causes more severe disease than BA.1[85]
- BA.2.75 first detected in India in May 2022, by July 2022 found in least 10 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, & Australia[100]
- more worrisome BA.2.75.2[107]
- BA.2.86 is a highly mutated variant
- Omicron variants BA.3 & BA.4 identified[86]
- Omicron variants BA.4 & BA.5 identified in U.S.[95]
- BA.5=83%, BA.4.6=12%, BF.7=2.3%, BA.4 & BA.2.76 each=1.4% of circulating strains in U.S. Sept 18-24 2022[106]
- Omicron BA.2.12.1, BA.4,& BA.5 subvariants escape neutralizing antibodies induced by both vaccination & infection[97][104]
- similar protection against severe, critical, or fatal Omicron infection conferred by previous infection, vaccination, or a combination of both[99]
- a third vaccine dose results in recall & expansion of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein- specific memory B cells, leading to neutralizing antibodies with enhanced potency & breadth against variants[104]
- night sweats associated with Omicron infection, especially BA.5[98]
- Omicron XE a combination of the original Omicron strain & subvariant Omicron BA.2 identified in the United Kingdom[92]
- speculation that it may be more contagious than BA.2
- BQ.1.1, BA.2.3.20, & XBB variants of concern[107]
- BQ.1 & BQ.1.1 make up ~20% of COVID-19 cases in the New York & New Jersey region, as of Oct 17, 2022 & 12% of strains in U.S.[108]
- BQ.1 is a BA.5 sub-lineage, thus some cross protection anticipated for the current (October 2022) Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines[107]
- Omicron BQ & XBB subvariants may be resistant to Pfizer & Moderna bivalent vaccines[112]
- XBB is 17% of strains in Singpore with 92% vaccination rate Oct 18 2022[108]
- XBB was estimated to account for 18.3% of the COVID-19 cases in the United States & 50% of cases in the Northeast in the week ended Dec. 24, 2022[113]
- XBB.1.5 40%, BQ.1.1 27%, BQ.1 18% of US cases in week ending Dec. 31, 2022[114][115]
- XBB.1.5 (Kraken variant) may be most infectious SARS CoV2 variant yet[115]
- XBB.1.5 is so transmissible that everyone is at risk of infection, even if prior infection & fully vaccinated[115]
- XBB.1.16 Arcturus (formally, Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16)
- Omicron BN.1 linked to ~4.3% of cases in U.S. Nov. 2022[109]
- during Omicron predominance, COVID-19 hospitalization rates in Los Angeles County among unvaccinated persons were 23.0 times those of fully vaccinated persons with a booster, & 5.3 times those among fully vaccinated persons without a booster[81]
- Omicron survives ~ as long as Alpha on plastic (193 hours average) & 21 hours on skin[79]
- Omicron variant CH.1.1 'Orthrus' named after a monster canine in Greek mythology has a mutation, L452R, present in the Delta variant & Omicron variants BA.4 & BA.5
- CH.1.1 emerged in Southeast Asia in November 2022, now accounts for ~ 1/4 of cases in Feb 2023 in the U.K. & New Zealand[116]
- Omicron variant HV.1 major circulating strain in U.S. Fall of 2023
- new variant FLiRT identified in U.S. 2024[124]
- KP.3 & KP.3.1.1 account for almost 1/2 of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S. in August 2024[125]
- KP.3.1.1 (25% COVID-19 cases in the U.S. August 2024) may be more of a challege to our immune system than other variants
- KP.2 circulating in summer of 2024
- KP.3.1.1 variant accounts for 53% of positive Covid-19 cases Sept 20, 2024[126]
- XEC is s recombinant or hybrid of the strains KS.1.1 & KP.3.3.
- KP.3 & KP.3.1.1 account for almost 1/2 of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S. in August 2024[125]
C.1.2
- new variant, known as C.1.2[55]
- first detected in South Africa in May 2021
- now spread to most South African provinces & to 7 other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia & Oceania
- contains many mutations associated in other variants with increased transmissibility & reduced sensitivity to neutralising antibodies, but in a different mix
- most distant variant from the original Wuhan coronavirus, with 44-59 mutations[55]
lambda
- another variant C.37 (dubbed lambda) 1st identified in Peru[41]
- spike protein mutations L452Q, F490S, G75V, T76I, D614G, T859N as well as a novel deletion (del246-252) may contribute to increased transmissibility
- Pfizer vaccine 3-fold less neutralization, Moderna vaccine 2.3-fold less neutralization;
- anti-spike protein monoclonal antibody combination Regenron's casirivimab/imdevimab without loss of activity
- variant of interest (WHO)
- susceptible to mRNA vaccines
R.1 variant 1st reported in Japan
- 26 residents & 20 healthcare workers tested positive for COVID-19 at a skilled nursing facility in Kentucky March 2021[61]
- vaccination 86.5% protective against symptomatic illness among residents & 87.1% protective for employees
- since being reported in Kentucky, R.1 has been detected > 10,000 times in the United States[61]
outlook
- viruses have only been sequenced from ~51,000 of 17 million U.S. cases in Dec 2020[15]
- $1.7 billion national network to identify & track coronavirus mutations in the U.S. is in the works[25]
- Covid-19 is likely here to stay as SARS-CoV2 continues to mutate in unvaccinated countries across the world & previous hopes of eradicating it diminish (WHO)[56]
early reports
- WHO looking into the origins of coronavirus in China discovered 13 different strains of SARS-CoV2 in Wuhan China in Dec 2019[3]]
- D614G mutation in the spike glycoprotein region of the SARS CoV-2 genome
- known as 'G' or clade 20G initially accounted for 70% of isolates worldwide[4][5][6]
- results in more efficient uptake of spike glycoprotein by ACE2-expressing cells
- renders virus more infectious
- does not render virus nore virulent
- other strains include: GR, GH, L, S, V[2]
- 382-nucleotide deletion in the open reading frame 8 region of the SARS CoV2 genome appears to be associated with a milder infection[7]
human genetic factors
- see COVID-19
other issues
Can SARS CoV2 RNA genes insert into human DNA?[31]
- probably not, SARS CoV2 does not carry a reverse transcriptase
- 2 publications suggest that LINE-1 may fill role of reverse transcriptase
- it seems most virologists disagree[31]
Clinical manifestations
- see COVID-19
Laboratory
Diagnostic procedures
- see COVID-19
Radiology
- see COVID-19
Complications
- see COVID-19
Management
- see COVID-19 management
- prevention:
- see COVID-19 vaccine
- prevention after high-risk exposure: see casirivimab
Comparative biology
- see COVID-19
More general terms
More specific terms
- SARS CoV2 & pregnancy & breastfeeding
- SARS Cov2 alpha variant (VUI-202012/01, UK variant)
- SARS Cov2 beta variant (B.1.351, South African variant)
- SARS Cov2 delta variant (B.1.617.2, India variant)
- SARS Cov2 epsilon variant (CAL.20C, B.1.427/B.1.429, West Coast Strain, California variant)
- SARS Cov2 eta variant (B.1.526.1, B.1.525)
- SARS Cov2 gamma variant (20J/501Y.V3, P.1, Brazil variant)
- SARS Cov2 iota variant (B.1.526)
- SARS Cov2 kappa variant (B.1.617.1)
- SARS Cov2 omicron variant
- SARS Cov2 zeta variant (P.2)
Additional terms
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lu R, Zhao X, Li J et al Genomic characterisation and epidemiology of 2019 novel coronavirus: implications for virus origins and receptor binding. Lancet. 2020. Jan 30. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32007145 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30251-8/fulltext
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Universita di Bologna The six strains of SARS-CoV-2 Science News. Aug 3, 2020 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200803105246.htm
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Walsh NK CNN Exclusive: WHO Wuhan mission finds possible signs of wider original outbreak in 2019. CNN Health. Feb 14, 2021 https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/14/health/who-mission-china-intl/index.html
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Zimmer C New California Variant May Be Driving Virus Surge There, Study Suggest New York Times. Jan 19, 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/health/coronavirus-variant-california.html
By City News Service, Jan 18, 2021 New Coronavirus Strain Found in More Than One-Third of Cases in Cedars-Sinai Study. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/new-coronavirus-strain-cedars-sinai-los-angeles-covid-19-surge/2508635/
Zhang W, Davis BD, Chen SS et al Emergence of a Novel SARS-CoV-2 Variant in Southern California. JAMA. Published online February 11, 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33571356 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776543
Mascola ER, Graham BS, Fauci AS SARS-CoV-2 Viral Variants - Tackling a Moving Target. JAMA. Published online February 11, 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33571363 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776542 - ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 More JP, Offit PA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and the Growing Threat of Viral Variants. JAMA. Published online January 28, 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33507218 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776039
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kaplan S, Achenbach J This coronavirus mutation has taken over the world. Scientists are trying to understand why. Washington Post. June 29 https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/06/29/coronavirus-mutation-science/
Carey B Did a Mutation Help the Coronavirus Spread? More Evidence, but Lingering Questions. New York Times. July 2, 2020 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/did-a-mutation-help-the-coronavirus-spread-more-evidence-but-lingering-questions/ar-BB16gfDe?li=BBnb7Kz
Korber B et al Spike mutation pipeline reveals the emergence of a more transmissible form of SARS-CoV-2. bioRxiv. May 05, 2020 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.29.069054v2
Zhang L et al The D614G mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein reduces S1 shedding and increases infectivity. bioRxiv. June 12, 2020 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.12.148726v1
Olena A SARS-CoV-2 Genetic Variant May Be More Transmissible. The Scientist. Nove 25, 2020 https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/sars-cov-2-genetic-variant-may-be-more-transmissible-68201 - ↑ 7.0 7.1 Young BE, Fong SW, Chan YH et al Effects of a major deletion in the SARS-CoV-2 genome on the severity of infection and the inflammatory response: an observational cohort study. Lancet. August 18, 2020 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32822564 PMCID: PMC7434477 Free PMC article https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31757-8/fulltext
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Smith C Another coronavirus mutation was discovered - and this one might be more dangerous. BGR. Dec 19, 2020 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/another-coronavirus-mutation-was-discovered-%e2%80%93-and-this-one-might-be-more-dangerous/ar-BB1c4hoW
Reuters Staff South Africa identifies new coronavirus strain causing surge in cases. Reuters Health & Pharma. Dec 18, 2020 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-identifies-new-coronavirus-strain-causing-surge-in-cases-idUSKBN28S2HH
Liu M, Stobbe M Virus Variant From South Africa Detected in US for First Time. Medscape - Jan 28, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/944867
World Health Organization (WHO) New COVID-19 variants fuelling Africa's second wave. WHO News Release. Jan 28, 2021 https://www.afro.who.int/news/new-covid-19-variants-fuelling-africas-second-wave
Money L First infections with South Africa coronavirus strain found in California. Los Angeles Times. Feb 10, 2021 https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-10/first-cases-of-south-african-coronavirus-strain-found-in-california
Mwenda M, Saasa N, Sinyange N, et al. Detection of B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 Variant Strain - Zambia, December 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 17 February 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33630820 Free article https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7008e2.htm - ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Zitser J Alarm over a new COVID-19 variant in the UK. Boris Johnson calls an emergency meeting to combat the mutating coronavirus. Business Insider, Dec 19, 2020 https://www.businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-holds-emergency-meeting-discuss-new-covid-19-strain-2020-12
Berger M U.K. variant of coronavirus continues global spread, despite containment efforts. Washington Post. Dec 26, 2020 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/uk-variant-of-coronavirus-continues-global-spread-despite-containment-efforts/ar-BB1cfzQm
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Implications of the Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variant VOC 202012/01. COVID-19 (Coronavirua Disease) Dec. 22, 2020 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-emerging-variant.html - ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Achenbach J, Guarino B, Sun LH, Stanley-Becker I First case of highly infectious coronavirus variant detected in Colorado. Washington Post. Dec 29, 2020 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/first-case-of-highly-infectious-coronavirus-variant-detected-in-colorado/ar-BB1cktU6
Walker M Just How Much More Transmissible Is the New Coronavirus Variant? MedPage Today January 2, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/90499
Volz E, Mishra S, Chand M et al Report 42 - Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage B.1.1.7 in England: insights from linking epidemiological and genetic data. MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis. Dec 31, 2020 - ↑ 11.0 11.1 Bruce A, Smout A British PM Says New Variant May Carry Higher Risk of Death. Medscape - Jan 22, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/944558
Horby P, Huntley C, Davies N NERVTAG note on B.1.1.7 severity SAGE meeting paper. Jan 21, 2021 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/955239/NERVTAG_paper_on_variant_of_concern__VOC__B.1.1.7.pdf - ↑ 12.0 12.1 Galloway SE, Paul P, MacCannell DR, et al. Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Lineage - United States, December 29, 2020 - January 12, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 15 January 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33476315 Free article https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7003e2.htm
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Hodcroft EB, Domman DB, Snyder DJ et al Emergence in late 2020 of multiple lineages of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein variants affecting amino acid position 677. MedRxiv. Feb 14, 2021 Not indexed in PubMed https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.12.21251658v2
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 AMA Morning News. January 26, 2021 American Medical Association
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 AMA Morning News. Dec 23, 2020 American Medical Association
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 West AP Jr., Barnes CO, Yang Z et al SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.526 emerging in the New York region detected by software utility created to query the spike mutational landscape. bioRxiv. 2021. Feb 23 Not indexed in PubMed https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.14.431043v2.full
Annavajhala MK, Mohri H, Zucker JE A Novel SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern, B.1.526, Identified in New York. MedRxiv. 2021. Feb 25 Not indexed in PubMed https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.23.21252259v1
Mandavilli A A New Coronavirus Variant Is Spreading in New York, Researchers Report. New York Times. Feb 25, 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/24/health/coronavirus-variant-nyc.html - ↑ 17.0 17.1 Davies NG, Abbott S, Barnard RC et al Estimated transmissibility and impact of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in England. Science 2021: March 3 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33658326 https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/03/03/science.abg3055
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Challen R, Brooks-Pollock E, Read JM et al Risk of mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/1: matched cohort study. BMJ 2021;372:n579 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33687922 PMCID: PMC7941603 Free PMC article https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n579
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Madhi SA, Baillie V, Cutland CL et al Efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Covid-19 Vaccine against the B.1.351 Variant. N Engl J Med 2021. March 16 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33725432 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2102214
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Reuters Staff Multiple Variants Can 'Escape' Vaccines Medscape - Mar 17, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/947660
Garcia-Beltran WF, Lam EC, St. Denis K et al Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants escape neutralization by vaccine-induced humoral immunity. Cell 2021. March 12 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33412089 PMCID: PMC7837114 Free PMC article https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00298-1 - ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Challen R et al. Risk of mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/1: Matched cohort study. BMJ 2021 Mar 9; 372:n579 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33687922 PMCID: PMC7941603 Free PMC article https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n579
Davies NG et al. Increased mortality in community-tested cases of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7. Nature 2021. March 15 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3372341 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03426-1 - ↑ 22.0 22.1 Washington NL, Gangavarapu K, Zeller M et al Emergence and rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 in the United States. Cell (2021) April PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33861950 https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0092-8674(21)00383-4
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Moyo-Gwete T, Madzivhandila M, Makhado Z et al Cross-Reactive Neutralizing Antibody Responses Elicited by SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 (B.1.351. N Engl J Med April 7, 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33826816 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2104192
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Frampton D, Rampling T, Cross A et al Genomic characteristics and clinical effect of the emergent SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage in London, UK: a whole-genome sequencing and hospital- based cohort study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. April 12, 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33857406 PMCID: PMC8041359 Free PMC article https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00170-5/fulltext
Graham MS, Sudre CH, May A et al Changes in symptomatology, reinfection, and transmissibility associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7: an ecological study. The Lancet Public Health. April 12,2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33857453 Free PMC article. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(21)00055-4/fulltext - ↑ 25.0 25.1 American Medical Association (AMA) U.S. to set up $1.7B national network to identify, track coronavirus variants. AMA Morning News. April 19, 2021
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Smith-Schoenwalder C CDC Details First Known Clusters of South African Variant in U.S. Without Travel Link. U.S. News & World Report. April 29, 2021 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cdc-details-first-known-clusters-of-south-african-variant-in-us-without-travel-link/ar-BB1gbLcy
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Hackethal V India's COVID-19 Variant: What We Know So Far. Not yet clear how much the current surge is driven by this new variant. MedPage Today April 29, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/92345
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Ellis R Study: Brazilian Variant May Be More Transmissible. Medscape - Apr 30, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/950280
Faria NR, Mellan TA, Whittaker C et al Genomics and epidemiology of the P.1 SARS-CoV-2 lineage in Manaus, Brazil. Science 2021. April 14 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33688664 Free PMC article https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/04/13/science.abh2644 - ↑ 29.0 29.1 Associated Press Virus Variant First Identified in India Found in Nebraska Medscape. May 14, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/951172
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Reuters mRNA Vaccines Likely Effective Against India Variant. Medscape. May 14, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/951107
Edara VV, Lai L, Sahoo MK et al Infection and vaccine-induced neutralizing antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.1 variant. bioRxiv. May 10, 2021 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.09.443299v1 - ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Hackethal V Can COVID-19 Genes Integrate Into Human DNA? Debate rages over whether SARS-CoV-2 can insert bits of its RNA into the human genome. MedPage Today May 17, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/92632
Zhang L, Richards S, Kahil A et al SARS-CoV-2 RNA reverse-transcribed and integrated into the human genome. bioTxiv. Dec 11, 2020 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.12.422516v1
Zhang L, Richards A, Barrasa MI et al Reverse-transcribed SARS-CoV-2 RNA can integrate into the genome of cultured human cells and can be expressed in patient-derived tissues. PNAS May 25, 2021 118 (21) e2105968118 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33958444 https://www.pnas.org/content/118/21/e2105968118.long
Yan B, Chakravorty S, Mirabelli S et al Host-virus chimeric eventsin SARS-CoV2 infected cells are infrequent and artifactual. J Virol. Online May 12, 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33980601 https://jvi.asm.org/content/jvi/early/2021/05/07/JVI.00294-21.full.pdf - ↑ 32.0 32.1 Mueller B New Variant Posing Threat, as Global Vaccine Drive Falters . New York Times. May 24, 2021 (via MSN) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/new-variant-posing-threat-as-global-vaccine-drive-falters/ar-AAKkPnI
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Callaway E Coronavirus variants get Greek names - but will scientists use them? Nature 2021. News June 1 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01483-0
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Crist C Pfizer Vaccine Protects Less Against India Variant. Medscape - Jun 04, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/952503
Wall EC, Wu M, Harvey R et al Neutralising antibody activity against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs B.1.617.2 and B.1.351 by BNT162b2 vaccination. Lancet 2021. June 3 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34090624 PMCID: PMC8175044 Free PMC article https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01290-3/fulltext - ↑ 35.0 35.1 Christensen J CDC now calls coronavirus Delta variant a 'variant of concern' CNN Health. 2021. June 15 https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/15/health/delta-variant-of-concern-cdc-coronavirus/index.html
Crist C CDC: Delta Variant From India a 'Variant of Concern' Medscape - Jun 16, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/953232
Crist C Delta Variant Now Accounts for 83% of US Cases. Medscape - Jul 20, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/955094 - ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 O'Shea D Delta Variant Increases Hospitalisation but Vaccines Continue to Protect. Medscape - Jun 14, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/953010
Sheikh A, McMenamin J, Taylor B, Robertson C for the Public Health Scotland and the EAVE II Collaborators. SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC in Scotland: demographics, risk of hospital admission, and vaccine effectiveness. Lancet 2021. Jun 14;S0140-6736(21)01358-1 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34139198 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01358-1/fulltext
Twohig KA, Nyberg T, Zaidi A et al Hospital admission and emergency care attendance risk for SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) compared with alpha (B.1.1.7) variants of concern: a cohort study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2021. August 27 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34461056 PMCID: PMC8397301 Free PMC article https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00475-8/fulltext - ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Thomas N. The Delta variant is on its way to becoming globally dominant, WHO chief scientist says. CNN Live Updates. June 18, 2018 https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-vaccine-updates-06-18-21/h_c56bee94ef52a2cca27b084cfc2e6f9c
- ↑ Acharya B, Jamkhandikar S. What Is the Delta Variant of Coronavirus With K417N Mutation? Medscape - Jun 23, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/953600
Crist C India Signals Alarm About New 'Delta Plus' Variant. Medscape - Jun 28, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/953869 - ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Fiore K What Doctors Should Know About Delta. Here's the latest on transmissibility, virulence, vaccine efficacy, and more. MedPage Today June 29, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/93351
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 Lalter L US 'Strike Teams' to Fight Delta COVID in 1000 Counties. Medscape - Jul 01, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/954117
Crist C Delta Becomes Dominant CoronavirusVariant in US Medscape - Jul 07, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/954335? - ↑ 41.0 41.1 Fiore K Should We Be Concerned About the Lambda Variant? With its novel mutations, the variant first identified in Peru is being watched closely. MedPage Today July 7, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/93458
Tada T, Zhou H, Dcosta BM et al SARS-CoV-2 Lambda Variant Remains Susceptible to Neutralization by mRNA Vaccine-elicited Antibodies and Convalescent Serum. bioRxiv 2021. Jul 3 Not indexed in PubMed https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.02.450959v1.full.pdf
Acevedo ML, Alonso-Palomares L, Bustamante A et al Infectivity and immune escape of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest Lambda. MedRxiv. 2021. July 1. Not indexed in PubMed https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.06.28.21259673v1.full.pdf
Reuters Staff Lambda Variant Shows Vaccine Resistance Medscape August 2, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/955883
Kimura I, Kosugi Y, Wu J et al SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant exhibits higher infectivity and immune resistance. bioRxiv. July 28, 2021 Not indexed in PubMed https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.28.454085v1 - ↑ 42.0 42.1 Hamza S Beta Variant May Be Deadlier, South African Hospital Data Suggests. Increases in hospitalizations, deaths in country's second COVID-19 wave MedPage Today July 12, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/93531
Reuters Staff Beta Variant May Increase Hospitalizations and Deaths Medscape. July 16, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/954845
Jassat W et al Difference in mortality among individuals admitted to hospital with COVID-19 during the first and second waves in South Africa: a cohort study. Lancet Glob Health 2021. July 9 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34252381 Free article https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00289-8/fulltext
Bekker LG, Ntusi NAB Lessons from two SARS-CoV-2 waves in South Africa. Lancet Glob Health 2021. July 9 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34252380 Free article https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00313-2/fulltext - ↑ 43.0 43.1 Ellis R Delta Variant Infects 6 Vaccinated Guests at Outdoor Wedding. Medscape - Jul 13, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/954721
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Planas D, Veyer D, Baidaliuk A et al. Reduced sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 variant Delta to antibody neutralization. Nature 2021. July 8 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34237773
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Kalter L Delta Variant Among the Most Infectious Viruses, CDC Says. Medscape - Jul 22, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/955244
Goodman B Vaccine Breakthrough Cases Rising With Delta: Here's What That Means. Medscape - Jul 23, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/955342 - ↑ 46.0 46.1 Lopez Bernal J, Andrews N, Gower C et al Effectiveness of Covid-19 Vaccines against the B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant. N Engl J Med 2021. July 21 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34289274 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2108891
Fowlkes A, Gaglani M, Groover K, et al. Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Frontline Workers Before and During B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant Predominance - Eight U.S. Locations, December 2020-August 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021 Aug 27;70(34):1167-1169 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34437521 Free article. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7034e4.htm - ↑ 47.0 47.1 Vignier N, Berot V, Bonnave N et al Breakthrough Infections of SARS-CoV-2 Gamma Variant in Fully Vaccinated Gold Miners, French Guiana, 2021. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Emerging Infectious Diseases 2021. 27(10) Oct https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/10/21-1427_article
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 American Medical Association (AMA) AMA Morning Rounds. July 30, 2021 MorningRounds@ama.bulletinhealthcare.com
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 Walker M Pfizer and Moderna Go Head to Head Against Delta Variant knocked down effectiveness of one vaccine more than another, preprint finds. MedPage Today August 10, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19vaccine/93982
Puranik A, Lenehan PJ, Silver E et al Comparison of two highly-effective mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 during periods of Alpha and Delta variant prevalence. medRxiv August 9, 2021 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.06.21261707v2 - ↑ 50.0 50.1 Reuters Staff Seven Die After Outbreak of Colombian Variant of COVID-19 at Belgian Nursing Home. Medscape. August 9, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/956135
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 Griffin S Covid-19: Fully vaccinated people can carry as much delta virus as unvaccinated people, data indicate. BMJ 2021;374:n2074 August 19 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34413020 https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n2074
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 Mallapaty S Delta's rise is fuelled by rampant spread from people who feel fine. Nature News. 2021. August 19. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02259-2
Subbaraman N How do vaccinated people spread Delta? What the science says. Nature News. 2021. August 12. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02187-1 - ↑ 53.0 53.1 Crist C COVID-19 Vaccines Still Highly Effective Against Hospitalization, CDC Data Show. Medscape. August 31, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/957897
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 Lovelace B Jr WHO says it is monitoring a new Covid variant called 'mu' CNBC. September 1, 2012 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/who-says-it-is-monitoring-a-new-covid-variant-called-mu/ar-AANZdQQ
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 Winning A South Africa Detects New Coronavirus Variant, Still Studying Its Mutations. Medscape. August 31, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/957531
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 Mendez R WHO says Covid will mutate like the flu and is likely here to stay. CNBC Health and Science. September 7, 2021. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/07/who-says-covid-is-here-to-stay-as-hopes-for-eradicating-the-virus-diminish.html
- ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 McNamara D How Concerned Should We Be About the Mu Variant? Medscape. Sept 9, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/958436
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 Stephens S The Latest on the Delta Variant. MedPage Today. September 2, 2021 https://www.healthecareers.com/medpage/article/healthcare-news/the-latest-on-the-delta-variant
- ↑ 59.0 59.1 Adamoski D, Carvalho de Oliveira J, Bonatto AC, Wassem R, Nogueira MB, Raboni SM, et al. Large-scale screening of asymptomatic persons for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and Gamma takeover, Brazil. Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Dec [date cited]. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/12/21-1326_article
- ↑ Fontanet A, Autran B, Lina B, Kieny MP, Karim SSA, Sridhar D. SARS-CoV-2 variants and ending the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet. 2021 Mar 13;397(10278):952-954 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33581803 PMCID: PMC7906631 Free PMC article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7906631/
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 Ellis R New COVID Strain Has Reached the US. Medscape. September 23, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/959332
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 Reuters Staff UK Study Finds Vaccinated People Easily Transmit Delta Variant in Households. Medscape. October 29, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/961796
Singanayagam A, Hakki S, Dunning J et al Community transmission and viral load kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in the UK: a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2021 Oct 29;S1473-3099(21)00648-4 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34756186 PMCID: PMC8554486 Free PMC article https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00648-4/fulltext - ↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 Steenhuysen J Delta Dominates the World, but Scientists Watch for Worrisome Offspring. Medscape. November 16, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/963030
- ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 Miao H WHO calls special meeting to discuss new Covid variant found in South Africa with 'a large number of mutations' CNBC News. November 25, 2021 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/who-calls-special-meeting-to-discuss-new-covid-variant-found-in-south-africa-with-a-large-number-of-mutations/ar-AAR8m9t
Covid Live Updates: South Africa Identifies New Variant New York Times. November 25, 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/11/25/world/covid-vaccine-boosters-mandates#variant-south-africa-covid
Callaway E Heavily mutated coronavirus variant puts scientists on alert. Researchers are racing to determine whether a fast-spreading variant in South Africa poses a threat to COVID vaccines' effectiveness. Nature News. November 25, 2021 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03552-w
Stein P, Booth W Announcement of new virus variant alarms world, crashing stocks and banning flights. Washington Post. November 26, 2021 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/europe-south-africa-variant-coronavirus/2021/11/26/0f7f5a78-4e99-11ec-a7b8-9ed28bf23929_story.html
Walker M New COVID Variant Sparks U.S. Travel Ban for Southern Africa. Characterized as "red flag," but questions remain about immune escape, transmissibility. MedPage Today November 26, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/95906
CBS News. November 30, 2021 Omicron COVID variant was in Europe before South African scientists detected and flagged it to the world. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/omicron-variant-covid-in-europe-netherlands-before-alert-raised
Walker M First Omicron Case Detected in the U.S. But Fauci cautions this is an "n of 1" case. MedPage Today December 1, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/95957
Walker M Omicron in 17 States; EUA for Monoclonals in Babies; President Biden Has a Cold. A daily roundup of news on COVID-19 and the rest of medicine MedPage Today December 6, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/96016 - ↑ 65.0 65.1 Walker J Covid-19 Antibody Drugs Are Challenged by Omicron, Preliminary Testing Indicates. Regeneron said its antibody drug cocktail was found to lose effectiveness against the new variant. Wall Street Journal. November 30, 2021 https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-antibody-drugs-are-challenged-by-omicron-preliminary-testing-indicates-11638270003
- ↑ 66.0 66.1 Kimball S Pfizer CEO confident Covid treatment pill will be effective against omicron variant. CNBC. November 29, 2021 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/29/pfizer-ceo-confident-covid-treatment-pill-effective-against-omicron-variant.html
- ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 Crist C Omicron May Require Fourth Vaccine Dose, Pfizer Says. Medscape. December 9, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964505
Kalter L Fauci: Boosters Work Against Omicron Medscape. December 15, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964893 - ↑ 68.0 68.1 Walker M WHO: Omicron More Transmissible, Not Necessarily Milder. When it comes to disease severity, "hope is not a strategy" WHO officials say MedPage Today December 8, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/96078
- ↑ 69.0 69.1 Kuehn BM Delta Variant Wasn't Linked With More Severe Disease. JAMA. 2021;326(22):2251. Dec 14 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34905023 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2787105
- ↑ 70.0 70.1 70.2 Crist C Omicron Variant Escapes Moderna Vaccine, but Booster Shot Helps. Medscape. December 16, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964963
Goodman B Moderna Booster Increases Protection Against Omicron, Company Says. Medscape. December 20, 2021 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965199?
Doria-Rose NA, Shen X, Schmidt SD et al Booster of mRNA-1273 Vaccine Reduces SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Escape from Neutralizing Antibodies. medRxiv. December 15, 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34931200 PMCID: PMC8687471 Free PMC article https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.15.21267805v1 - ↑ 71.0 71.1 Firth S More Evidence Omicron May Be Weaker Than Prior Variants. Data "encouraging" but still "preliminary," says Fauci. MedPage Today December 29, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/96433
- ↑ 72.0 72.1 Keeton R, Tincho MB, Ngomti A SARS-CoV-2 spike T cell responses induced upon vaccination or infection remain robust against Omicron. medRxiv. 2021. December 28. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.26.21268380v1
- ↑ 73.0 73.1 Crist C Omicron Variant Appears to Cause Less Damage to Lungs, Studies Say. Medscape. January 3, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965894
Diamond M, Halfmann P, Maemura T et al The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron virus causes attenuated infection and disease in mice and hamsters. Research Square. In Review. Nature Portfolio. December 29, 2021 https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-1211792/v1 - ↑ 74.0 74.1 Russell P Hospitalisation Risk from Omicron Variant 'Around a Third of Delta'. Medscape UK. January 4, 2022 https://www.medscape.co.uk/viewarticle/hospitalisation-risk-omicron-variant-around-third-delta-2022a10000kc
- ↑ 75.0 75.1 Reuters Staff Omicron Estimated to Be 95% of Coronavirus Variants in US: CDC. Medscape. Jan 5, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965953
- ↑ 76.0 76.1 Reuters Health Information Omicron May Be Less Severe, but Not 'Mild': WHO Chief. Medscape. January 07, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/966155
- ↑ 77.0 77.1 Garcia-Beltran WF, St. Denis KJ, Hoelzemer A et al. mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine boosters induce neutralizing immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Cell 2021 Dec 23; [e-pub]. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34995482 PMCID: PMC8733787 Free PMC article https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)01496-3
- ↑ 78.0 78.1 McNamara D Watch, but Don't Worry Yet, About New Omicron Subvariant. Medscape. Jan 25, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/967241
- ↑ 79.0 79.1 Ellis R Omicron Survives Longer on Plastic, Skin Than Other COVID Variants. Medscape. Jan 25, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/967246
Hirose R, Itoh Y, Ikegaya H et al Differences in environmental stability among SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: Omicron has higher stability. bioRxiv. Jan 19, 2022 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.18.476607v1.full - ↑ 80.0 80.1 Crist C Omicron Subvariant 1.5 Times More Contagious Than Omicron. Medscape. Jan 31, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/967541
- ↑ 81.0 81.1 Danza P, Koo TH, Haddix M et al SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Hospitalization Among Adults Aged >= 18 Years, by Vaccination Status, Before and During SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant Predominance - Los Angeles County, California, November 7, 2021-January 8, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 1 February 2022 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3511385 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7105e1.htm
- ↑ 82.0 82.1 82.2 Walker M 'Natural Immunity' Holds Up Against Severe Omicron Cases in Qatar Study. "Robust" protection from previous infection against hospitalization, death by reinfection. MedPage Today February 9, 2022 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/97108
Altarawneh HN, Chemaitelly H, Hasan MR et al Protection against the Omicron Variant from Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection. N Engl J Med 2022. Feb 9 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35139269 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2200133 - ↑ Ellis R Omicron Death Rate Higher Than During Delta Surge. Medscape. February 10, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/968283
- ↑ 84.0 84.1 Ellis R Subvariant May Be More Dangerous Than Omicron: Study. Medscape. February 18, 2022. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/968848
Yamasoba D, Kimura I, Nasser H et al Virological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 variant. bioRxiv preprint, February 15, 2022 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.14.480335v1.full.pdf - ↑ 85.0 85.1 Fiore K No Real-World Evidence BA.2 Is More Severe. WHO eases BA.2 concerns; South African data show no increase in severity. MedPage Today February 23, 2022 https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/97331
- ↑ 86.0 86.1 86.2 86.3 Steele RW, Bronze S Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Variants Medscape. Feb 16, 2022 https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2500142-overview
- ↑ 87.0 87.1 Reuters Omicron BA.2 Makes Up 23.1% of COVID Variants in US: CDC Medscape. March 16, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/970323
- ↑ 88.0 88.1 Reuters Omicron Infections Are Contagious for at Least 6 Days. Medscape. March 18, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/970514
Boucau J, Marino C, Regan J et al Duration of viable virus shedding in SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection. medRxiv. March 2, 2022 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.03.01.22271582v1 - ↑ 89.0 89.1 Steele RW, Bronze S COVID-19 Variants Medscape. March 23, 2022 https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2500142-overview
- ↑ Variant_Proportions_Weekly by strain surveillance https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/strain.surv/viz/Variant_Proportions_Weekly/RegionsDashboard
- ↑ California Department of Public Health Tracking Variants https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-Variants.aspx
COVID Watch Viral Respiratory Surveillance for LA County http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/covidwatch/
LA County Daily COVID-19 Data http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/index.htm - ↑ 92.0 92.1 Kalter L New COVID Combo-Variant XE Found in UK. Medscape. April 5, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/971622
- ↑ Phan T, Boes S, McCullough M et al First detection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4 variant in Western Pennsylvania, United States. Journal of Medical Virology. 2022, May 9. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35534788 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmv.27846
- ↑ 94.0 94.1 Maxmen A Why call it BA.2.12.1? A guide to the tangled Omicron family. Nature. News Explainer. May 27, 2022 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01466-9
- ↑ 95.0 95.1 95.2 Fiore K I Just Recovered From BA.2. Can I Get BA.4/5? As new variants gain foothold, here's what to expect. MedPage Today June 16, 2022 https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/99281
- ↑ 96.0 96.1 Crist C Omicron Carries Half the Risk of Long COVID as Delta: Study. Medscape. June 17, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/975841
Antonelli M et al Risk of long COVID associated with delta versus omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. Lancet. 2022. June 18. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35717982 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00941-2/fulltext - ↑ 97.0 97.1 Hachmann NP, Miller J, Collier AY et al Neutralization Escape by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5. N Engl J Med. 2022. Jun 22. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35731894 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2206576
- ↑ 98.0 98.1 Calder R New COVID subvariant could make you sweat at night. New York Times. July 9, 2022 https://nypost.com/2022/07/09/new-covid-subvariant-could-make-you-sweat-at-night/
- ↑ 99.0 99.1 Altarawneh HN et al. Effects of previous infection and vaccination on symptomatic omicron infections. N Engl J Med 2022 Jun 15; [e-pub]. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35704396 PMCID: PMC9258753 Free PMC article
- ↑ 100.0 100.1 Putka S What to Know About the New BA.2.75 Omicron Subvariant. Now spreading in at least 10 countries, but it's too soon to tell how virulent or deadly it is. MedPage Today July 8, 2022 https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/99655
- ↑ 101.0 101.1 Syed AM, Ciling A, Taha TY et al Omicron mutations enhance infectivity and reduce antibody neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U.S.A. 2022. July 19 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2200592119
- ↑ 102.0 102.1 AMA Morning Rounds American Medical Association. July 22, 2022
Hassan A The risk from the coronavirus is rising in much of the United States. New York Times. July 21, 2022 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/21/world/covid-risk-us.html - ↑ 103.0 103.1 Prillaman M Prior Omicron infection protects against BA.4 and BA.5 variants. Nature News. July 21, 2022 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01950-2
- ↑ 104.0 104.1 104.2 Bowen JE, Addetia A, Dang HV et al Omicron spike function and neutralizing activity elicited by a comprehensive panel of vaccines. Science 2022. July 19. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35857529 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq0203
- ↑ Madhusoodanan J Animal Reservoirs - Where the Next SARS-CoV-2 Variant Could Arise. JAMA. Published online August 3, 2022 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35921126 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2795140
- ↑ 106.0 106.1 COVID Data Tracker https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/
- ↑ 107.0 107.1 107.2 107.3 107.4 AMA Morning Rounds. Oct 3, 2022 American Medical Association
Prater E BQ.1.1 is among the most immune-evasive COVID variants yet. It's coming in hot in the U.S. MSN. Oct 15, 2022 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/bq-1-1-is-among-the-most-immune-evasive-covid-variants-yet-it-s-coming-in-hot-in-the-u-s/ar-AA12Zzhh?
O'Mary L New COVID Variant Gaining Traction in US. Medscape. Oct 17, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/982557 - ↑ 108.0 108.1 108.2 McNamara D New COVID Subvariants Rising: How Concerned Should We Be? Medscape. October 18, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/982667
- ↑ 109.0 109.1 D'Ambrosio A BN.1 Variant Rising; CA Sees First RSV Child Death; Sperm Counts Down Worldwide. Health news and commentary from around the Web gathered by MedPage Today staff. MedPage Today November 15, 2022 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/generalinfectiousdisease/101747
- ↑ CoVariants Home https://covariants.org/
CoVariants Shared mutations https://covariants.org/shared-mutations - ↑ Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 Variants https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/variant-surveillance/variant-info.html
SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html
Variant Proportions in the U.S https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/variant-proportions.html Variant Map: US COVID-19 Cases Caused by Variants https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant-cases.html
US COVID-19 Cases Caused by Variants https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-cases.html - ↑ 112.0 112.1 Wang Q, Iketani S, Li Z et al Alarming antibody evasion properties of rising SARS-CoV-2 BQ and XBB subvariants. Cell 2022. Dec 14;S0092-8674(22)01531-8. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36580913 PMCID: PMC9747694 Free PMC article
- ↑ 113.0 113.1 Reuters staff Omicron Subvariant XBB Jumps to 18% of US COVID Cases: CDC. Medscape. 2022. Dec 27 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/986094
- ↑ 114.0 114.1 Fiore K Here's What to Know About XBB.1.5. Its immune evasiveness didn't come at a cost in transmissibility, virologist says. MedPage Today January 4, 2023 https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/features/102496
- ↑ 115.0 115.1 115.2 115.3 Putka S XBB.1.5 Is Extra Infectious; Oldest Person in U.S. Dies; Vaccines for Honeybees? Health news and commentary from around the Web gathered by MedPage Today staff. MedPage Today January 9, 2023 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/102550
Ellis R New Omicron Subvariant Is 'Crazy Infectious,' COVID Expert Warns. Medscape. Jan 10, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/986759 - ↑ 116.0 116.1 Henderson J Is Orthrus the Next Top-Dog COVID Variant? CH.1.1 now accounts for about a quarter of cases in the U.K. MedPage Today February 7, 2023 https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/features/103002
Qu P, Faraone Evans JP et al Extraordinary Evasion of Neutralizing Antibody Response by Omicron XBB.1.5, CH.1.1 and CA.3.1 Variants. BioRxiv. January 17, 2023. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.01.16.524244v1.full - ↑ 117.0 117.1 O'Mary L New COVID Variant on WHO's Radar Causing Itchy Eyes in Kids. Medscsape. April 12, 2023 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/990671
- ↑ 118.0 118.1 118.2 118.3 118.4 O'Mary L US Has New Dominant COVID Variant Called EG.5. Medscape. August 7, 2023 https://www.medscape.com/s/viewarticle/995247
Schnirring L WHO adds Omicron EG.5 to variant monitoring as global COVID markers decline further. University of Minnesta, CIDRAP, July 20, 2023 https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/who-adds-omicron-eg5-variant-monitoring-global-covid-markers-decline-further
Wikipedia: Eris (dwarf planet) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eris_%28dwarf_planet%29
Abbasi J What to Know About EG.5, the Latest SARS-CoV-2 "Variant of Interest". JAMA. Published online August 18, 2023. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37594886 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2808762 - ↑ 119.0 119.1 AMA Morning Rouns. August 21, 2023 American Medical Association
- ↑ 120.0 120.1 120.2 AMA Morning Rounds. August 24, 2023 American Medical Association
- ↑ 121.0 121.1 121.2 Harris E CDC Assesses Risk From BA.2.86, Highly Mutated COVID-19 Variant. JAMA. Published online August 30, 2023 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2809132
- ↑ 122.0 122.1 AMA Morning Rounds. Dec 17, 2023 American Medical Association
Berg S What doctors wish patients knew about COVID-19 oral antivirals. American Medical Association. Nov 23, 2023 https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-covid-19-oral-antivirals - ↑ 123.0 123.1 AMA Morning Rounds. Dec 20, 2023 American Medical Association
Roy S WHO says JN.1 COVID strain a 'variant of interest', poses low risk. Reuters. Dec 19, 2023 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-classifies-jn1-covid-19-variant-interest-2023-12-19/ - ↑ 124.0 124.1 Lin II RG Early signs of rising COVID in California as new FLiRT subvariants dominate. Los Angeles Times. May 25, 2024
- ↑ 125.0 125.1 Dewan P COVID Warning as New KP.3.1.1 Variant Rises to US Dominance: 'Buckle Up' Newsweek. August 5, 2024 https://www.newsweek.com/covid-variant-rises-us-dominance-flirt-1934583
- ↑ 126.0 126.1 AMA Morning Rounds. Sept 20, 2024 American Medical Association
- ↑ 127.0 127.1 O'Mary L Just as COVID Levels Start to Dip, a New Variant Emerges. Medscape. Sept 26, 2024 https://www.medscape.com/s/viewarticle/just-covid-levels-start-dip-new-variant-emerges-2024a1000hh5
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control & Prevention COVID Data Tracker. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions