The coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, as well as other viruses typically mutate all the time. As viruses multiply, mutations, i.e. changes, occur in their genes. Some of the mutations change the structure and function of the virus. Viral variants, i.e. modified viruses, may therefore differ from the previously spread virus strain.
Currently, the coronavirus circulates in several varieties, some of which spread faster than others.
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Identified coronavirus variants
Viral variants are being studied around the world, giving new information about the infectivity, virulence and other characteristics of viral varieties. Extensive international monitoring has been able to identify and monitor specific coronavirus strains.
In Finland, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare assesses the spread of viral variants together with the hospital districts, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), WHO and health authorities in different countries. Modified coronavirus strains are divided into three categories.
Variants of concern
WHO has named the coronavirus strains that spread more efficiently than others or have other characteristics that affect the epidemic as Variants of concern (VOC).
- Alpha
A virus variant discovered in the UK in December 2020, which probably developed earlier in the autumn of 2020, is more susceptible to transmission than the previous virus strains. The Alpha variant quickly became the dominant coronavirus strain also in Finland, but with the rapid spread of the Delta variant its share has decreased. - Beta
The Beta variant developed in autumn 2020 was detected in South Africa and is also present in Finland. The Beta variant may be more contagious than the previous variants. - Gamma
The Gamma variant detected in December 2020 may be more contagious than the earlier strains. The virus variant was discovered in Japan in travellers returning from Brazil. In Finland, the Gamma variant was first discovered in February 2021. - Delta
The Delta variant found in India in autumn 2020 was first discovered in Finland in March 2021. By the end of June 2021, the Delta variant had already replaced the Alpha variant as the dominant variant. - Omicron
The Omicron variant detected in South Africa in November 2021 differs from other coronavirus strains, and information about the characteristics of the virus mutation will become more accurate through research. Omicron variants have also been detected in Finland.
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Additional information on coronavirus variants (THL)
Variants of interest
A variant of interest (VOI) can be classified as a virus variant strain subject to intensified monitoring based on local expert assessment.
- Lambda
- Mu
Alerts for further monitoring
The alerts for further monitoring refer to coronavirus strains that have mutations and are thought to have an impact on the pandemic, but whose effects are not yet known.
How do you protect yourself against viral mutations?
Virus variants can be prevented from spreading similarly as the other coronaviruses.
- If symptoms occur, take a COVID-19 test and stay at home.
- Keep your distance from other people.
- Take care of hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing hygiene.
- Wear a face mask especially when moving around in places where there are a lot of people.
- Take the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and use the National Koronavilkku application.
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How can COVID-19 infections be prevented?
Cleaning guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19 infections (THL)
Finding viral variants
Like other viruses, modified coronaviruses are identified by sequencing, in other words, by determining the partial or total genome of the virus.
In practice, if a person tests positive for COVID-19, the test sample can be sequenced. However, only part of the detected infections are sequenced, which means that only some of the samples are selected for sequencing.
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COVID-19 tests at Mehiläinen
Collaboration in coronavirus sample sequencing
In the sequencing of positive coronavirus samples, Mehiläinen cooperates with the Institute of Biotechnology of the University of Helsinki and Vita Laboratoriot.
The sequencing method can detect the smallest changes in the virus genome and monitor their proliferation. In addition to the most well-known British and South African variants, there are usually several other changes to the virus genome, but they do not always lead to changes in the behaviour of the virus, and the significance of all changes is not yet fully understood.
In the Mehiläinen's operating model, it is possible to carry out a further examination concerning virus variations for all those who have had a positive COVID-19 result.
Where are the found viral variants reported?
The variants found are reported to the tested persons, the municipality’s infectious diseases authorities and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare's communicable diseases register.
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Coronavirus variants (THL)
Sivu päivitetty 15.12.2021