Naming system for Covid variants
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The World Health Organisation has announced a new naming system for variants of Covid-19, using letters from the Greek alphabet in a bid to simplify discussion and remove stigma

COVID-19 “VARIANTS OF CONCERN”
Strains posing additional risks to public health
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Alpha
Variant: B.1.1.7
Country of discovery: UK
First detected: Sep 2020
Transmissibility: Increased by 43% to 90%
Severity: Possible increased risk of hospitalisation and mortality

Beta
B.1.351
South Africa
Oct 2020
Increased by about 50%
Possible 20% increased risk of in-hospital mortality

Gamma
P.1
Brazil / Japan
Dec 2020
Increased
Under investigation, limited impact

Delta
B.1.617.2
India
Dec 2020
Increased, still being assessed
Insufficient information
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ESTIMATED EFFECTIVENESS OF COVID-19 VACCINES (%)*

Against variant: Alpha Beta Gamma  Delta

Pfizer 
Novavax 
AstraZeneca 
Johnson & Johnson
Sinovac 

0 20 40 60 80 100

*After full course 0
                   
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Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters Picture: CDC © GRAPHIC NEWS