Lambda and Delta Plus: What To Know About COVID-19 Variants
In recent news, a John Hopkins University COVID researcher described the Lambda variant as a “potential threat to human society,” and there has been widespread concern about the efficacy of vaccines against the Delta and Delta Plus variant. What do we know about these COVID-19 variants thus far?
COVID-19 Variants
The World Health Organization (WHO) tracks SARS-CoV-2 variants to see how the virus mutates over time and poses a threat to society. This global monitoring process aims to inform research and inform pandemic response, like the development of booster shots.
How Variants Form
When a virus is transmitted from one person to another, variants can form. A variant is a virus with one or multiple genetic mutations; as the virus spreads, more genetic mutations occur. Viruses are constantly changing and mutating, but some mutations alter characteristics of the virus that can make it more contagious or cause more severe illness.
How Variants Are Found
Variants are found by sequencing the virus collected from an infected person in a laboratory. There are different technologies used to read the genetic code of viruses to determine which variant it is or if it is a new one. Once identified, scientists determine whether these variants are potentially dangerous and if they need to be monitored.
Variants of Concern (VOCs)
Variants of concern are strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with genetic changes that impact the spread and risk of COVID-19. In order to avoid stigmatization and to promote communication, the WHO has developed a naming system using letters of the Greek alphabet. Variants are named soon after discovery if they are thought to:
- Have increased transmissibility
- Increase disease severity
- Decrease the effectiveness of public health measures, diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines
Current variants of concern
| Variant of Concern | Where it was First Found | Date of Designation |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha | UK | December 18, 2020 |
| Beta | South Africa | December 18, 2020 |
| Gamma | Brazil | January 11, 2021 |
| Delta | India | May 11, 2021 |
Variants of Interest (VOIs)
The WHO has also named four variants of interest: Eta, Iota, Kappa, and the Lambda variant. These are strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with genetic changes that have the potential to affect transmissibility and/or disease severity. Scientists actively monitor these potential global public health threats to determine how dangerous they are.
Current variants of Interest
| Variant of Concern | Where it was First Found | Date of Designation |
|---|---|---|
| Eta | Multiple countries | March 17, 2021 |
| Iota | USA | March 24, 2021 |
| Kappa | India | April 4, 2021 |
| Lambda | Peru | June 14, 2021 |
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Alexis Bryan MPH, is a recent graduate of Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health. She is passionate about increasing access to care to improve health outcomes. Outside of work, she loves to travel, read, and pay too much attention to her plants.