COVID-19 Variants

This information can change, please double-check sources for information, and continue to monitor sources or back here for updates.

Viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, mutate all the time. Most changes aren't of concern, however some can make the virus more adept at infecting cells or evading antibodies. These variants are able to outcompete other strains.  During replication, a virus often undergoes genetic changes that may create what are called variants. New variants become predominant through a process of evolutionary selection that is not well understood. Once identified, several questions arise regarding the potential clinical consequences of a new variant: Is it more readily transmitted; is it more virulent or pathogenic; and can it evade immunity induced by vaccination or prior infection? 

The World Health Organization uses “variants of concern” to signify strains that pose additional risks to global public health, “variants of interest” for those that warrant close monitoring because of their emerging risk, and "alerts for further monitoring" for a variant that possesses genetic characteristics that indicate it may pose a future risk. Assessments may change depending on the evolving pandemic. For example, three variants of interest -- epsilon, zeta and theta -- were reclassified in early July as alerts. Variants of concern and variants of interest are assigned letters from the Greek alphabet for identification.  Click here for more information on variants WHO is tracking.

For information on the spread of variants, in Oregon, please click here. 

For CDC information on variants, please click here. 

For CDC information on variant classifications and definitions, please click here.