10 COVID-19 Variant Cases in Iowa
Viruses are constantly changing, and this includes SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. There are currently three known variants of COVID-19 in the United States.
- Variant B.1.1.7 is present in 44 states with 1,661 cases nationwide, including 10 in Iowa. (There are currently no reported cases in Dubuque County.)
- Variant B.1.351 is present in 10 states with 22 total cases.
- Variant P.1 is reported in 4 states with 5 total cases.
The emerging variants have mutations in the virus genome that alter the characteristics and cause the virus to act differently in ways that are significant to public health (e.g., causes more severe disease, spreads more easily between humans, requires different treatments, changes the effectiveness of current vaccines). It’s important to understand that genetic mutations are expected, and some variants can spread and become predominant while others subside.
For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant-cases.html