COVID Virus & Variants

On this page find information about the COVID virus and variants.

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Virus

COVID (also identified as COVID-19 and Coronavirus) is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus discovered in 2019.
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 1, 2019. The cause was a then-new coronavirus later named SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 may have originated in an animal and changed (mutated) so it could cause illness in humans. In the past, several infectious disease outbreaks have been traced to viruses originating in birds, pigs, bats, and other animals that mutated to become dangerous to humans. Research continues, and more studies may reveal how and why the coronavirus evolved to cause pandemic disease.
As of now, researchers know that the coronavirus is spread through droplets and virus particles released into the air when an infected person breathes, talks, laughs, sings, coughs, or sneezes. Larger droplets may fall to the ground in a few seconds, but tiny infectious particles can linger in the air and accumulate in indoor places, especially where many people are gathered and there is poor ventilation. This is why wearing a mask is so important.
Some people infected with the coronavirus have mild COVID-19 illness, and others have no symptoms at all. In some cases, however, COVID-19 can lead to respiratory failure, lasting lung, and heart muscle damage, nervous system problems, kidney failure, or death. Most common symptoms may show up anywhere from 2-14 days and include: cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle and body aches, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, headaches, and more. You can also learn more about COVID symptoms on HealthyMKE’s symptom checker by CLICKING HERE.
COVID-19 is diagnosed through a laboratory test and at-home tests. Diagnosing it can be difficult since many COVID-19 signs and symptoms can be caused by other illnesses and some people do not have symptoms at all. If you received a positive result from an at-home test or are looking for a trusted COVID testing location, CLICK HERE to access HealthyMKE’s testing location map.
Treatment for COVID-19 addresses the signs and symptoms of the infection and supports people with more severe diseases. For mild cases of coronavirus disease, your doctor may recommend measures such as fever reducers or over-the-counter medications. More severe cases may require hospital care, where a patient may receive a combination of treatments that could include steroids, oxygen, mechanical breathing support, and other COVID treatments that are in development.

The best method of reducing the chances of being impacted by COVID is to get a vaccine. CLICK HERE to find a provider near you.

Variants

Variants are different strains of a virus. Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants show up and disappear. Other times, new variants appear and persist. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic.
Coronavirus variants are classified in different categories by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are currently four categories that variants are put into:
- Variants being monitored: Those where data indicates there is a potential or clear impact on approved or authorized medical countermeasures or that have been associated with more severe disease or increased transmission but are no longer detected, or are circulating at very low levels, in the United States.
- Variants of interest: A coronavirus variant that, compared to earlier forms of the virus, has genetic characteristics that predict greater transmissibility, evasion of immunity or diagnostic testing or more severe disease.
- Variants of concern: has been observed to be more infectious, more likely to cause breakthrough or re-infections in those who are vaccinated or previously infected. These variants are more likely to cause severe disease, evade diagnostic tests, or resist antiviral treatment.
- Variants of consequence: Has clear evidence that prevention measures or medical countermeasures (MCMs) have significantly reduced effectiveness relative to previously circulating variants.
The Omicron variant is currently a Variant of Concern. This means it may spread more easily than other variants, including Delta. At this time, the current severity of illness and death associated with this variant is unclear. Some breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are expected, but vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Early evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Omicron variant can spread the virus to others. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.
The Delta variant is another Variant of Concern. What we know today is that it spreads more easily than other variants. Based on current studies, we also know that it may cause more severe cases than the other variants. Breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are expected, but vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Early evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Delta variant can spread the virus to others.
The COVID-19 vaccines give strong protection against severe disease and death when it comes to the Delta variant. Vaccines also reduce a person’s risk of getting the virus. But no vaccine is 100% effective and some fully vaccinated people will become infected and experience illness. This is called a breakthrough infection. When one happens, the vaccines still provide strong protection against serious illness and death.