SARS-CoV-2 March 2023

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) March 2023

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in China in 2019, then confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020. As the name indicates, this coronavirus is related to the SARS beta coronavirus (SARS-1) that caused fatal outbreaks in 2002-2003. However, it is not the same virus, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In molecular epidemiology, a study published on May 4, 2021, found the progenitor genome (proCoV2) is the mother of SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses. These researchers estimate that the SARS-CoV-2 progenitor was in circulation several weeks before the first genome sequenced in China, known as Wuhan-1, stated Sayaka Miura, a study's senior author.

SARS-CoV-2 Infectious Rate March 2023

In the U.S., the Biobot Network of Wastewater Treatment Plants depicts the varying levels of SARS-CoV-2 detected in wastewater samples across different regions. The U.S. CDC recommends using the COVID Data Tracker to determine the impact of SARS-CoV-2 in local wastewater systems.

SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern March 2023

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is mutating, which is expected as viruses mutate as they spread, stated the U.S. CDC. The original SARS-CoV-2 strain, detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, is the L virus strain. This human coronavirus (hCOV) has since mutated.

The WHO, in collaboration with partners, expert networks, national authorities, institutions, and researchers, has been monitoring and assessing the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 since January 2020. The WHO updated its tracking system and working definitions for variants of SARS-CoV-2 in March 2023 to better correspond to the current global variant landscape, to independently evaluate Omicron sublineages in circulation, and classify new variants more clearly when required. For the updated definitions, please visit the WHO variant tracking website.

And the CDC posts SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions at this link.

SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus FAQs

• U.S. CDC
• U.S. FDA Testing

NOTE: This page's content is sourced from the CDC, WHO, clinicaltrials.gov, and the Precision Vax network of websites. Healthcare providers fact-checked this information.