COVID-19 has been a part of our lives for a little over a year now; our familiarity with this virus has caused us to let our guard down. Many of us have become lax when it comes to the proper safety measures needed to keep ourselves and those around us safe. Unfortunately, there is still a lot we do not know about the virus, and new threats are arising every day.

According to the CDC and the Mayo Clinic, there are currently three new variants of the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that cause the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that are creating concern. These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly among people, causing more infections with the COVID-19 virus. All three variants have now been identified in the U.S., as well as many other countries. The variants include:

A variant identified in the U.K. This COVID-19 variant (B.1.1.7) has 23 mutations. Several of these mutations are in the spikelike S protein that the virus uses to attach itself to human cells’ surface. This variant might be associated with an increased risk of death compared to other variants, but further research is needed.

A variant was identified in South Africa. This variant (B.1.351) has multiple mutations in the S protein. There’s no evidence that this variant causes more severe disease due to COVID-19.

A variant was identified in Brazil. This variant (P.1) has 17 mutations, including 3 in the S protein. Some evidence suggests that this variant might be less vulnerable to antibodies generated by a previous COVID-19 infection or a COVID-19 vaccine.

For these reasons and many others, we still urge you to exercise proper precautions to keep you and those around you as safe as possible.

Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around people who don’t live with you. Masks work best when everyone wears one.

Stay at least 6 feet (about two arm lengths) from others.

Avoid crowds. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you will be exposed to COVID-19.

Avoid unventilated indoor spaces. If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors.

Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.

Don’t Let Your Guard Down! Stay Safe!