Symptoms for the new COVID variants are reported to have more persistent cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat and fever compared to those who have the original strain.
Studies show one of the new COVID variants is the U.K. variant or the Kent variant known as B.1.1.7, which spreads more easily and quickly than other variants and may be up to 70% more deadly than previous strains.
Another variant found in South Africa is called B.1.351 and a third variant called P.1 was first identified in January among travelers from Brazil after routine testing and screening at an airport in Japan. Studies have determined that P.1 contains a set of additional mutations that could affect its ability to be recognized by infection-fighting antibodies.
Several major vaccine companies are working to modify their vaccines — which could include booster shots — to better protect against the South African variant.
SOURCE: Healthworld.com February 18, 2021