Could a new COVID-19 variant affect children more frequently than earlier strains?
Experts in areas where the new strain is appearing have found an increased number of cases in children, but the data show that kids are being infected by old variants, as well as the new ones.
Will there be more new variants of the coronavirus?
Yes. As long as the coronavirus spreads through the population, mutations will continue to happen. In 2020, several mutations caught researchers’ attention and raised concern, but further study revealed no major changes in how the coronavirus behaves.
New variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are detected weekly. Most come and go — some persist but don’t become more common; some increase in the population for a while, and then die out. When a change in the infection pattern first pops up, it can be very hard to tell what’s driving the trend: changes to the virus, or changes in human behavior.
What additional COVID-19 precautions are needed for the new coronavirus mutations?
None of the new coronavirus variants call for any new prevention strategies at this time, except to continue our current course of distancing and mask-wearing. Human behavior is important. The more people who are infected, the more chances there are for a mutation to occur. Limiting the spread of the virus through maintaining COVID-19 safeguards (mask-wearing, physical distancing, and practicing hand hygiene) gives the virus fewer chances to change. It also reduces the spread of more infectious variants, if they do occur.
Will the COVID-19 vaccine work on the new strains?
There is some evidence from laboratory studies that some immune responses of current vaccines could be less effective against some of the new strains. People who have received the vaccines should watch for changes in guidance from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], and continue with coronavirus safety precautions to reduce the risk of infection, such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, and hand hygiene.
Flu virus mutations occur yearly and likewise, an eye on mutations of this coronavirus will be noted and tracked.
How concerned should we be about coronavirus variants?
When the evidence is strong enough that a viral genetic change is causing a change in the behavior of the virus, we can further assess how the virus works. As with any virus, changes are something to be watched, to ensure that testing, treatment, and vaccines are still effective. The scientists will continue to examine new versions of this coronavirus’s genetic sequencing as it evolves.
To help combat the virus we need to continue all efforts to prevent viral transmission and to vaccinate as many people as possible, as soon as possible.