Five other COVID-19 variants being monitored

Aside from the coronavirus disease 2019 variant found in the United Kingdom, five other COVID-19 variants are being monitored across the globe.

According to a report on “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho,” the South Africa variant, dubbed as the 501Y.V2 variant, has been recorded in ten countries.

This is different from the 1701V variant found in Malaysia and the P681H variant found in Nigeria. The Cluster 5 variant first found in minks is, meanwhile, in Denmark.

Meanwhile, the D614G variant first recorded in China is the most widespread and dominant variant of COVID-19 across the globe.

Since the UK variant or the VOC 202012/01 was first detected in December, it has been found in 41 countries.

Meanwhile, 191 countries and territories have recorded COVID-19 cases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), though all viruses change, it does not mean an increase in the rate of transmission or its effects on victims.

“Tukoy karaniwan ‘yung mga bagong variants kung merong unusual patterns of disease. So tulad na lang kung biglang nagkaroon ng clustering na nakapakabilis ng pagkalat or puwedeng unusual disesase presentation clinically like very severe or very rapid course,” Dr. Anna Lisa Ong-Lim, an Infectious Disease Specialist member, said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News