Among all the COVID-19 variants amid the pandemic, the Delta strain is the most dominant globally.
The coronavirus pandemic began nearly two years ago. But, despite all the efforts, more COVID-19 variants have since emerged, leading the crisis to much worse situations.
The surfacing of the new strains only denotes that the virus continues to mutate and evolve. As this dynamic goes, it remains unclear when the pandemic will conclude.
In the last few months alone, officials and experts have detected several variants across the globe. Some of the new ones even show significant developments in their respective mutations, igniting more concerns among the public.
Business Today released a report on the matter, listing the top novel coronavirus strains, which are causing “alarm” globally. These are the Delta, Lambda, and Mu variants of the virus.
Lambda: Receding as cases drop
The Lambda strain is one of the recently detected COVID-19 variants. Experts first identified it in Peru back in December.
It started to attract the attention of the public a few months ago. Based on studies, it reportedly has mutations that can resist antibodies from vaccines.
The World Health Organization consequently listed it under the “Variants of Interest” (VOIs) earlier in June. The following month, the cases rose dramatically across the globe.
But, reports said that the strain now “appears to be receding.” This comes as the cases involving the Lambda variant continue to show a decreasing trend in the last four weeks.
Delta: “Most worrisome” among all COVID-19 variants
Among all the existing COVID-19 variants, the Delta strain remains the most infamous and dominant. It is also the “most worrisome” as it continues to infect populations in many countries.
Several nations, including even those that had successful pandemic management in 2020, remain in lockdown and strict measures due to the Delta variant. Apart from striking unvaccinated individuals, it can also infect those who have already completed their vaccinations.
Under the WHO’s classifications, it is listed as one of the “Variants of Concern” (VOCs). This means that it has shown capabilities of increasing transmissibility, reducing vaccine and treatment benefits, and causing more severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Mu: New reason of concern
Scientists and health experts recently informed the public about the new COVID-19 variant, Mu. The earliest detection took place in Colombia in January.
On August 30, the World Health Organization designated the strain as a “Variant of Interest” (VOI) due to its potentially threatening nature. As reported, it carries key mutations that have links with “increased transmissibility and reduced immune protection.”
WION noted, though, that the cumulative prevalence of the Mu strain is less than 0.5 percent. Even so, it remains as one of the COVId-19 variants that many experts and officials are monitoring.
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