What You Should Know About the New COVID-19 Strains

Several new strains of the coronavirus have been identified — and they're more contagious. Here's what's known about how they spread, how well the vaccines work against them, and the symptoms these variants cause.

By Sophie Putka
Apr 1, 2021 4:00 PM
illustration concept of the coronavirus mutating - shutterstock 1684333258
(Credit: Polina Tomtosova/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

A virus can’t make plans, but it is still driven by one goal: make more viruses. The virus responsible for COVID-19 is no different. Lately, virus offshoots like the strains from the U.K., South Africa, and Brazil have become so good at their goal that they’ve gained international attention, and a handful of similar U.S.-based variants are also emerging. Discover set out to answer some basic questions about them.  

First, what a strain is: viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the one behind COVID-19), have genetic information that is constantly mutating as viruses make copies of it. New “strains” or “variants” are a mutated version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that are found in large numbers, and that can also increase more quickly than other versions of the virus, according to Dan Jones. Jones is the vice chair of the Division of Molecular Pathology at Ohio State University's medical school. Jones also led a research team that discovered one of a handful of U.S.-based strains dubbed the “Columbus” strain in January. 

Not all multiplying mutated viruses count as a “strain” though, because some mutations may have little to no effect on how the virus behaves. What also defines a strain, but is harder to pin down, Jones says, is that the new group of mutated viruses are “biologically significant or medically significant.” A new strain must work differently in humans than the original strain. And in the case of the U.K., South Africa, and Brazil strains, there is cause for concern because of how fast they spread from person to person. But so far, experts say the tools we use to fight COVID-19 will work for the strains, too. 

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.