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Crash course on SARS-CoV-2 strains:
The virus has a surprisingly low mutation rates but scientists believe that this is bc the virus has already been "optimised" to infect humans so little evolution is taking place.
The virus has a surprisingly low mutation rates but scientists believe that this is bc the virus has already been "optimised" to infect humans so little evolution is taking place.
The 2 original strains are G and L. L is the original from Wuhan while G is the more widespread strain.
L is appearing to phase out as it mutated into the S strain in early 2020. The V strain also appeared around this time.
L is appearing to phase out as it mutated into the S strain in early 2020. The V strain also appeared around this time.
G mutated into GH and GR. These are most common across Europe and America (North and South).
So 6 strains total: L, S, G, V, GH and GR.
Research suggests that each of these strains have their own cluster of symptoms so they present differently.
So 6 strains total: L, S, G, V, GH and GR.
Research suggests that each of these strains have their own cluster of symptoms so they present differently.
The severity of symptoms depends on which strain you're infected by.
Clusters of symptoms:
Clusters of symptoms:
Note: the only data I'm finding for the Caribbean is minimal (surprise surprise)
Jamaica's reported strains are GH and V while Cuba's is G.
Jamaica's reported strains are GH and V while Cuba's is G.
In terms of vaccines, it is quite possible for a vaccine to protect against multiple strains.
Flu shots do this. There are tri-valent flu shots (protects against 3) and quadrivalent (protects against 4).
This lengthens the time it would take for vaccines to be developed.
Flu shots do this. There are tri-valent flu shots (protects against 3) and quadrivalent (protects against 4).
This lengthens the time it would take for vaccines to be developed.
If the virus continues to mutate, it'll be necessary for the annual vaccines - just like the flu shot.
This virus will likely be around for a long time. We'll have to live with it. However, the strain(s) that we live with, will likely be the one(s) that causes mild symptoms
This virus will likely be around for a long time. We'll have to live with it. However, the strain(s) that we live with, will likely be the one(s) that causes mild symptoms
Reason being, is that viruses need hosts to survive. Therefore, killing their host (via severe symptoms) is NOT GOOD.
Causing mild symptoms (or none at all) allows the host to remain ignorant to the infection thereby allowing it to spread amongst the population.
Causing mild symptoms (or none at all) allows the host to remain ignorant to the infection thereby allowing it to spread amongst the population.
SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus and we live with other coronaviruses and continue to do so.
These viruses are responsible for the common cold, the "lil flu", runny nose, whatever you call it.
There was only this pandemic happening bc it's a completely novel virus
These viruses are responsible for the common cold, the "lil flu", runny nose, whatever you call it.
There was only this pandemic happening bc it's a completely novel virus
