COVID-19/Variants
| COVID-19/Variants link | |
|---|---|
| Interests | COVID |
There are many variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Some are believed, or have been stated, to be of particular importance due to their potential for increased transmissibility, increased virulence, or reduced effectiveness of vaccines against them. These variants contribute to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delta
The Delta variant was first found in India in late 2020.[1] 2020: India
23 February: USA
26 February: Singapore
19 February: Fiji
March: Finland
11 May: Philippines
7 June: North Macedonia
Omicron
The Omicron variant was first sequenced in Southern Africa. In November 2021, authorities in Botswana said that "the new virus was detected on four foreign nationals who had entered Botswana on the 7th November 2021, on a diplomatic mission." The four diplomats tested positive for COVID-19 on November 11 as they were leaving, and genomic sequencing confirmed the variant on November 24.[2]
