What are the different COVID variants?

There are several different variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, which have been identified by scientists around the world. These variants, which are sometimes referred to as "strains" or "lineages," have emerged due to the natural process of viral evolution.

The three most well-known variants of the virus are the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first identified in the United Kingdom; the B.1.351 variant, which was first identified in South Africa; and the P.1 variant, which was first identified in Brazil. These variants have been found to be more contagious than the original strain of the virus, and they may also be more resistant to vaccines and treatments.

Other variants of the virus have also been identified in different parts of the world, including the B.1.617.2 variant in India, the B.1.617.1 variant in India and the United States, and the B.1.617.3 variant in India and the United States. Some of these variants may also be more contagious and/or more resistant to vaccines and treatments than the original strain of the virus.

It is important for scientists and public health officials to continue monitoring the spread of these variants and studying their characteristics in order to better understand their potential impact on the COVID-19 pandemic.