SARS-CoV-2 Mutations and Variants: what do we know so far?

Abstract

With the circulation of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOC), there is a worry that an increase in transmission, hospitalisations, and deaths may occur efficacy of some vaccines may be compromised. Recently the WHO has recommended the use of labels with letters of the Greek alphabet. Then, the variants of concern are now called Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. So that the classification of the variants is more accessible and more practical when they are discussed in non-scientific audiences. In addition, the variants can be classified into three large groups according to their clinical capacity to affect global public health: variants of interest (VOI), variants of concern (VOC), and High consequence variant (VOHC). This review aims to explore the molecular and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 mutations and variants.