Previously we reported on a new COVID-19 variant from Great Britain. There are other variants under investigation, too. They were first detected in Brazil and South Africa.
This past week, many news stories focused on the COVID-19 variant studies under way.
NPR reported that the COVID-19 variant is more contagious and thus spreads faster. One variant was first found in the Great Britain in late 2020. And it is now in the U.S., too.
In Great Britain, it is serious. Namely, about half of all new cases in that country are from this variant. More, it is also in dozens of other countries, too.
There are a number of concerns with the new variants. First, they may spread easier. Second, they may make some sicker than earlier strains of the virus. Third, treatments developed to fight them may not be as effective. And last, there is a concern that the efficacy of vaccines to prevent them.
It appears that the vaccines currently administered offer protection from some of these strains. And in the future, vaccine boosters will likely be available to work against new strains.
And the variants do not change the approach to reduce the spread of the virus. There are several key steps to take to reduce the spread of the virus. They are social distancing, wearing a mask, hand washing and to avoid touching of the face.