Read as “Covid-beta.” Also known as the B.1.351 or “Beta” variant. The South African variant, which has been detected in at least 40-odd countries, is believed to evade antibodies, thus making recovered infected people despite their existing immunity prone to reinfection.
Insufficient data cannot conclude whether Covid-β causes more severe illness than earlier versions of the coronavirus, or whether current vaccines may be less effective for this variant, which may also be transmitted faster.
by MathPlus August 30, 2021
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