What are these new strains and where do they come from? How are they spread and are they deadlier than what we are battling? Are there more precautions we need to take to protect ourselves? What about vaccines, will they help? In this post we explore all of this, as well as what you can do to stay safe through an ever evolving pandemic.
Table of Contents
Staying safe in the race between Variants and Vaccines
Where do variants come from?
It turns out “Coronavirus” is a large family of viruses named for the crown-like spikes on their surfaces. Many of them affect humans with acute respiratory distress. Human Coronaviruses were first noticed in the mid-1960’s by the Common Cold Research Unit in Wiltshire, UK. Later in 1968 as the technology became available for scientists to culture viruses in the lab it was possible to image them and they were remarked as having characteristic spikes in the shape of a corona - hence coronavirus.
A Coronavirus duplicates itself resulting in similar but not exact copies of the original. Once it has exhausted its resources (and our wellbeing) it launches itself towards other bodies with every suspicious sneeze, cough and droplet. Our bodies are basically incubating stations as the virus proliferates. Through its interaction with our own genetic code those not-exact copies will contain errors. These errors are called mutations and viruses with these mutations are called variants. Many of the mutations aren’t functional and can sometimes damage the virus itself. But other times when the conditions are right each new body becomes a training ground as it gets smarter, stronger and lasts longer.
There is a theory that patients with compromised immune systems could be a site where new variants are generated. These “long haul” cases might host the virus long enough and lack the antibodies to put up a strong enough defense thereby developing new strains. That being said, the largest contributor towards viral mutation is the sheer number of people infected. The more people are infected and the longer they are infected, the more opportunity the virus has to evolve. This is why it is imperative we understand the new variants, how they spread and how different they are from the original recipe.
Meet the new mutants
What makes the variants concerning is not where they come from, but the mutations they contain. Small changes in the structure of the virus, like say the alteration of a certain spike protein, can make the virus bind more easily to the host body. Currently we are keeping an eye on these notable variants of COVID-19.
Omicron (B.1.1.529)
- Has now been detected in at least 110 countries, and all 50 states.
- Omicron seems to be more transmissible than the other variants. Positivity rates have risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, and studies are underway to determine if it is due to Omicron or other factors.
- Though preliminary data showed increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, data now suggests less severe disease compared with other variants. Symptoms also vary from other variants with cough, congestion, runny nose, and tiredness being more common.
- Current vaccines seem to work against the new variant at reducing severe illness and hospitalization. A booster shot is suggested for effective immunization.
- The acceptable window for a negative test prior to travel has shortened to 24 hours prior to entering the US.
- PCR tests continue to detect all variants. Studies are underway to determine if there is any impact to other tests, including rapid antigen tests. An early study also suggests that saliva samples may be better at detecting early stages of infection.
Variants side-by-side
The overwhelming number of infections across the globe has set the stage for multiple variants to emerge from the initial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The main concern with these variants is how they might change the speed of infection, prolong the length of illness and help the virus stay alive outside of the body for longer. Bottom line if it spreads it gets stronger.
Staying safe in the race between Variants and Vaccines
It’s inconvenient and frustrating, but even if you’re vaccinated you can still transmit the virus, including these new variants. Variants and vaccines are in a race where one seeks to slow infection and the other wants to spread like wildfire.
Lowering transmission is key. Fewer infections mean less opportunity for the virus to evolve and mutate. We achieve fewer infections by vaccinating as many people as we can swiftly while maintaining a strong prevention practice. Last year we rushed to flatten the curve of new infections, now we want to flatten the curve of new variants.
There is concern that the Beta variant will reduce the efficacy of vaccinations. With the Gamma strain more studies are needed to understand how it makes itself unrecognizable by antibodies. Without an antibody response we could become even more infectious because our bodies defense system has no idea a dangerous new threat just moved in.
The good news is that vaccines are highly effective at reducing the severity of illness even among the variant strains. Vaccines can also be updated and adjusted. We could be a booster away from highly effective protection.
In conclusion
COVID-19, like all viruses mutate using our bodies as incubation stations. With every new infection the virus uses our genetic code to alter its own before passing itself off via droplets. Variants are created by viral mutations which are small errors in the code. The largest factor in the creation of new variants is the massive amount of infections happening globally. To reduce the amount of new infections and increase the likelihood the vaccines we have will be the best defense against it, we need to get vaccinated and fast! Until then we need to up our game with PPE, and take care of ourselves and our communities. Ultimately, we want to thank you for being brave amidst uncertainty and most certainly encourage you to stay home if you’re sick and get tested!
