The rise of variations in the virus has proven that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is still some ways away.
If you’re in the business of indoor air quality and helping your clients to feel safe and healthy in their own spaces, it’s important to remain up to date on what the variants are, how they arise, and what that means for your business.
How Do COVID-19 Variants Arise?
“All viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, change over time,” the World Health Organization (WHO) explains. “Most changes have little to no impact on the virus’ properties.”
Specifically, as the virus continues to spread throughout the world and through varying populations, it may further mutate. For example, officials have identified variations of spike proteins when discerning different strains of COVID-19.
As mentioned earlier, some changes may not be cause for concern, as the new viral strain remains largely unchanged.
In other cases, however, mutations may possibly make COVID-19:
- More transmissible
- More dangerous to immunocompromised individuals
- More likely to cause breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals
- And more
What Are The Variants & What Do I Need To Know About Them?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the four primary variants of COVID-19 variants have been identified as follows:
- Alpha
The alpha variant is the strain most people today are familiar with. COVID-19 vaccines that have been either approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are effective in protecting individuals from developing severe cases or dying of this particular mutation. The alpha variant was first identified in the United Kingdom.
- Beta
The Beta variant emerged not long after alpha within the boundaries of South Africa. Research does not conclusively indicate whether one may be more severely compromised by this strain, though the vaccine does still prove effective and it is thus far thought to be less severe in nature. Otherwise, fewer treatments are as successful in fighting off the beta strain, such as with certain monoclonal antibodies treatments.
- Gamma
First identified in both Japan and Brazil, the gamma variant is largely similar to that of beta in that it is scientifically believed to cause fewer severe cases in comparison to that of other variants and may be stopped or lessened in individuals who have been vaccinated. Also, like the beta variant, monoclonal treatments have thus far been identified as less effective in fending off infection.
- Delta
Primarily driving the rising tide of COVID-19 cases across the United States today, the delta variant is well-known for being both highly transmissible in comparison to other variants and more severe in certain cases. While COVID-19 vaccines remain effective in reducing hospitalization or death as a result of contracting the delta variant, more breakthrough cases have been noted and some monoclonal treatments are less effective.
Thus far, mutations of the COVID-19 virus are expected to continue spawning. As such, scientific leaders and government officials are doing their best to track Variants of Interest, or VOIs, such as the new “mu” variant. Mu was first identified in Columbia in January of 2021.
How Can Indoor Air Quality Keep Myself/My Clients Protected?
At the end of the day, officials are encouraging the same preventative measures as before: wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, thoroughly washing one’s hands, and getting the vaccine at one’s earliest convenience.As this is a primarily airborne transmitted virus, increased attention to air quality testing and mitigation can also help reduce the risk of infection.
Of course, regardless of whether you specialize in testing residential or commercial spaces, one thing is for sure: helping your clients to optimize their indoor air quality remains an effective means of curbing indoor COVID-19 transmission because you can lower the total number of airborne microbes.
Thus, by integrating the state-of-the-art technology found in InstaScope, you may more effectively detect and identify mold, viruses, and bacteria and use that information to know what is in the air as well as develop a course of action for improvements.
By measuring and comparing the total air biological loads in multiple rooms an unlimited number of times, you will be able to readily identify what spaces need the most on-site attention. Whether it be repair, replacement, or remediation that is necessary to resolve the presence of airborne contaminants, InstaScope can gather data and generate reports instantly in a user-friendly manner.
To learn more about how the InstaScope can help you to assure your clients amidst ongoing air quality concerns, contact DetectionTek today by calling 720-410-7030 or emailing info@instascope.co!
