====== COVID-19 ======

see [[COVID-19 Pandemic]].


===== 🧬 COVID-19 Variants Overview =====

<WRAP info>
This table summarizes the major SARS-CoV-2 variants, their characteristics, and clinical implications.
</WRAP>

===== Major Variants =====
<WRAP box>
^ Variant ^ First Identified ^ Key Features ^ Clinical Impact ^ WHO Label ^
| **Alpha (B.1.1.7)** | UK, Sept 2020 | Highly transmissible | More severe disease | Variant of Concern |
| **Beta (B.1.351)** | South Africa, May 2020 | Immune escape | Possible vaccine resistance | Variant of Concern |
| **Gamma (P.1)** | Brazil, Nov 2020 | Reinfection risk | Moderate severity | Variant of Concern |
| **Delta (B.1.617.2)** | India, Oct 2020 | Very high spread | Higher hospital/death rates | Variant of Concern |
| **Omicron (B.1.1.529)** | Southern Africa, Nov 2021 | Extremely contagious, many mutations | Milder disease | Variant of Concern |
</WRAP>


<WRAP toggle>
^ Subvariant ^ Key Notes ^
| **BA.1 / BA.2** | Initial waves; BA.2 more transmissible |
| **BA.4 / BA.5** | More immune-evasive; widespread in mid-2022 |
| **XBB / XBB.1.5 ("Kraken")** | Recombinant; caused winter 2022–23 surge |
| **EG.5 ("Eris")** | Circulated mid-late 2023; moderate immune escape |
| **JN.1** | Dominant in early 2024 |
</WRAP>

===== General Trends =====
<WRAP round tip>
  * Early variants: more severe in unvaccinated
  * Omicron and beyond: milder but more transmissible
  * Current focus: protection of vulnerable and managing comorbidities
</WRAP>