
Currently, three new variants of the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are creating concern. They include:
There is no evidence that these COVID-19 variants cause more-severe illness with COVID-19 or an increased risk of death due to COVID-19.
In addition, new research that still needs to be finalized suggests that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can protect against one of the mutations found in the variants identified in the U.K. and South Africa.
Further research is needed. In the meantime, keep following precautions for avoiding infection with the COVID-19 virus.
This article is written by Mayo Clinic Staff
________________________________________
Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, along with guidelines and recommendations, may have changed since the original publication date.
For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.
Learn more about: Tracking COVID-19 and COVID-19 trends
Flu cases and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rates are beginning to drop in the U.S.; however, reported cases of COVID-19 are increasing. A new COVID-19 omicron variant, XBB.1.5, is spreading quickly and ...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu infection rates across the U.S. continue to be very high. "As we predicted, this flu season has ...
According to the Food and Drug Administration, a national shortage of different medications, including a common antibiotic, is expected to last several months. "The most notable ...