Variants of SARS-CoV-2

Positive, negative, and neutral mutations during the evolution of coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2.

Variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are viruses that, while similar to the original, have genetic changes that are of enough significance to lead virologists to label them separately. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some have been stated, to be of particular importance due to their potential for increased transmissibility,[1] increased virulence, or reduced effectiveness of vaccines against them.[2][3] These variants contribute to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of March 2024, only Omicron is designated as a circulating variant of concern by the World Health Organization.[4][failed verification]

  1. ^ Shahhosseini N, Babuadze GG, Wong G, Kobinger GP (April 2021). "Mutation Signatures and In Silico Docking of Novel SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern". Microorganisms. 9 (5): 926. doi:10.3390/microorganisms9050926. PMC 8146828. PMID 33925854. S2CID 233460887.
  2. ^ "Coronavirus variants and mutations: The science explained". BBC News. 6 January 2021. Archived from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  3. ^ Kupferschmidt K (15 January 2021). "New coronavirus variants could cause more reinfections, require updated vaccines". Science. doi:10.1126/science.abg6028. S2CID 234141081. Archived from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference WHO21Nov was invoked but never defined (see the help page).