What's the difference between the COVID-19 variants? - KFYR-TV
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Viruses survive because they adapt, and coronavirus is no different. We've heard a lot about variants recently. We spoke with an infectious disease consultant to find out what makes one different from another. The CDC says viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants are expected to occur. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, the new strains persist. Sanford Health Infectious Disease Consultant Dr. Noe Mateo says the variants differ in their ability to spread from person to person and their ability to cause illness. "There's a different risk as to whether you're going to be sick enough to be hospitalized, or have to come into an intensive care unit, depending on what your interaction is with your immune system with these new variants," said Dr. Mateo. Dr. Mateo says there is a variant that is becoming more important and more widespread. "The Delta that the World Health Organization and