COVID-19 originally came about at the end of 2019, and like many viruses, it has undergone many mutations to produce many variants. With various strains of the virus out there, knowing which ones are more severe than others can be confusing. This article will give you a brief overview of the variants and what you can expect from each one.

Alpha Variant

The first widely publicized variant of the COVID-19 virus was Alpha. This variant is more severe than the original strain but not as deadly as the later variants. All three vaccines—Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson—have been effective in preventing hospitalizations and severe reactions to this variant.

Beta Variant

The following variant is called Beta, which has the potential to evade antibodies, although it’s uncommon in the United States. This variant was found to be 50 percent more contagious than the original virus. The COVID-19 Beta variant was more than likely the cause of an increase in hospitalizations and deaths in 2020.

Delta Variant

Soon after the Beta strain, the Delta variant became prevalent. This variant is nearly twice as contagious as the original, and unvaccinated individuals remain at the greatest risk for transmission. Scientists and health-care professionals found that the vaccines were not as effective against this variant as they were against the other ones.

Omicron Variant

The last COVID-19 variant in this overview is the most recent, Omicron. This strain is less severe than Delta, but fully vaccinated people can still experience breakthrough infections and spread the virus. Although this variant is milder, AFC Urgent Care offers COVID testing in Raleigh, which you should take advantage of if you start to feel ill or have been in contact with anyone who contracted COVID.

News coverage of COVID-19 has died down, but it’s still wreaking havoc on our medical communities. Do everything in your power to prevent the spread of the illness, and seek out medical attention if symptoms become severe. Keep practicing healthy habits, and remain aware of what’s happening with this virus to protect yourself and your family.