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COVID-19 Variants: A Comparative Analysis

August 27, 2021

COVID-19 Variants: A Comparative Analysis
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The COVID-19 virus has taken on various forms ever since it was first discovered. Viruses constantly change due to mutation. When a virus undergoes one or more mutations, it is called a variant. Coronavirus has caused several variants across the globe.

Once a virus enters the physical body, its genetic material enters the cells and starts making copies of itself, which may infect other cells. Whenever a blunder occurs during this copying process, it triggers a mutation. COVID-19 mutations of significance are divided into three types.

They are:

  • Variant of Interest
  • Variant of Concern
  • Variant of High Consequence.

VariantOriginated fromMonth and YearCountries AffectedSymptoms
Alpha VariantUnited Kingdom62 countries, including Canada, Italy, and the United States.122 countries, including the United States.Chills, loss of appetite, headache, and muscle aches.
Beta VariantSouth AfricaMay 202062 countries, including Canada, Italy, and the United States.50% more transmissible, severe infections.
Gamma VariantBrazilNovember 202062 countries, including Canada, Italy, United States.Body aches, sore throat, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell.
Delta VariantIndia202096 countries, including Singapore, France, Spain, the UK, and the USA.Persistent cough, headache, fever, and sore throat. Headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever seem to be more common.
Delta Plus VariantIndia2020Minimum 50 countries, which include the USA, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.Skin rash, change in the color of the toes, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of smell, diarrhea, headache, or runny nose, etc.
Kappa VariantIndiaDecember 2020Minimum 30 countries, including Chile, Mexico, Germany, and Argentina.Rashes everywhere on the body, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red and watery eyes.
Lambda VariantPeruDecember 2020Loss of smell, taste, fever, and cough.Minimum 50 countries, which include the USA, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.

Disclaimer: We recommend consulting a Doctor before taking any action based on the above shared information.


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