COVID-19
see COVID-19 Pandemic.
🧬 COVID-19 Variants Overview
This table summarizes the major SARS-CoV-2 variants, their characteristics, and clinical implications.
Major Variants
| 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 |
| 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 |
General Trends
- Early variants: more severe in unvaccinated
- Omicron and beyond: milder but more transmissible
- Current focus: protection of vulnerable and managing comorbidities