What are the different COVID-19 variants?

Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic. There are currently five notable variants in the United States:

• B.1.1.7 (Alpha): This variant was first detected in the United States in December 2020. It was initially detected in the United Kingdom. 
• B.1.351 (Beta): This variant was first detected in the United States at the end of January 2021. It was initially detected in South Africa in December 2020.
• P.1 (Gamma): This variant was first detected in the United States in January 2021. It was initially identified in travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at an airport in Japan, in early January.
• B.1.617.2 (Delta): This variant was first detected in the United States in March 2021. It was initially identified in India in December 2020. Based on current data, this is a common variant across the country.
• B.1.1.529 (Omicron): This variant was first detected in the United States in December 2021. It was initially identified in South Africa in November 2021. Despite the detection of the Omicron variant, Delta remains the predominant strain in the United States.