What does the division into variants of concern or variants of appropriate interest mean?

Individual variants of the coronavirus are divided in the so-called VOI/VOC classification into:

Variants of interest (Variant of Interest, VOI)

A variant with specific genetic markers that have been associated with changes in receptor binding, reduced levels of neutralizing antibodies produced by previous infection or after vaccination, reduced treatment efficacy, potential diagnostic impact, or predicted increases in transmissibility or disease severity.

Variants of Concern (VOC)

A variant in which there is evidence of increased transmission, a more severe disease course (eg, increased hospitalizations or deaths), a significant reduction in neutralizing antibodies generated during a previous infection or vaccination, reduced efficacy of treatment or vaccines, or failure of diagnostic detection.

Monitored variants (Variants under monitoring, VUM)

These SARS-CoV-2 virus variants were detected through epidemic intelligence and genomic variant screening or preliminary scientific evidence. The variants classified under VUM could have properties similar to those of VOCs, but it is necessary to monitor them further. The variants listed here must be present in at least one community-detected outbreak within the EU/EEA, or there must be evidence that there is community transmission of the variant elsewhere in the world.

De-escalated varianty

According to the ECDC, some variants are now so-called de-escalated, i.e. they are removed from the VOI/VOC classification system, for example variants and sub-variants alpha, beta, gamma, epsilon, delta, kappa, eta, theta, zeta and others.

What can be done to limit the spread of the virus?

In order to limit the spread of the virus that causes the disease COVID-19 and to protect public health, the consistent and increased enforcement of strategies such as vaccination, physical distancing, the use of respirators especially in healthcare facilities, in social care institutions and in the case of symptoms of respiratory disease, hygiene hand and other relevant anti-epidemic measures based on risk assessment.

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