- B.1.1.7, the variant first reported in the UK, which spreads more easily and can cause more severe illness.
- B.1.351, the variant first reported in South Africa, which spreads more easily. Some current treatments and vaccines may not work as well on cases of this variant.
- P.1, the variant first reported in Japan but later identified as originating in Brazil, which may be able to re-infect people who have had COVID-19. Some current treatments may not work as well on cases of this variant.
- B.1.617 a variant first detected in India in October 2020. Although not much is known yet about this strain, current evidence suggests it spreads more easily between people and current treatments may not work as well. Researchers are monitoring for specific sublineages of this variant, including B.1.617.1, 1.617.2, B.1.617.3 and B.1.617.4
The BCCDC is also actively monitoring for new variants of interest (VOI) as they emerge around the world and assessing whether these variants have been identified in B.C. The VOIs include:
- B.1.525 and B.1.526, variants first detected in New York in late 2020
- B.1.427 and B.1.429, variants first reported in California, USA. Both spread more easily, and some current treatments and vaccines may not work as well on cases of this variant.
- P.2, a variant first detected in Brazil in early 2020
Experts and scientists are studying the new COVID-19 variants to better understand their impact and if they change the course of COVID-19 illness. Some variants have the same genetic changes, even though they were first detected in different countries. Other variants, such as B.1.617 have at least two sets of changes that can impact how the virus behaves in the body.
....Currently, the most common VoCs in B.C. are B.1.1.7 and P.1.
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Reducing the Spread of COVID-19 Variants
The new variants spread the same way as the original COVID-19; current public health measures (frequent hand washing, physical distancing, wearing a well-fitted, 3 layer mask and staying home when you’re sick) help limit the spread. However, because the variants spread more easily, it is even more important for people to follow the current public health recommendations. People should also continue to avoid crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
Getting vaccinated helps to stop the spread of COVID-19 variants.