The first emergence of COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, said Dr. Thomas Weida, professor of family medicine and associate dean for Clinical Affairs for the College of Community Health Sciences. The disease was first confirmed in the United States on January 21, 2020.
Since 2019, there have been three major variants beyond the original coronavirus: Delta, Omicron (BA.1) and Omicron Stealth (BA.2). Delta is nearly twice as transmissible as the COVID-19 virus and much more severe. The BA.1 Omicron variant has been found to be 2.7 to 3.7 times as infectious as Delta and includes more cold-like symptoms. The BA.2 Omicron Stealth version, known as a “sister lineage” to BA.1, is relatively new but is 1.5 times more contagious as the BA.1 version. Currently, the “stealth” Omicron makes up about 8% of current cases in the U.S., according to the American Medical Association. While Omicron Stealth does not appear to be more severe, it shows signs of spreading more easily.
The first COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer-BioNTech for patients ages 16 and older, was introduced on December 11, 2020, Weida said during a Mini Medical School presentation in March. Mini Medical School is a series of lectures provided each semester through a collaboration of The University of Alabama OLLI program and CCHS, which operates University Medical Center.
Since then, the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have also become available. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is now available to those 5 years of age and older, offering two doses and a booster shot five months later. Both the Moderna and J&J are available to patients 18 and older, with the J&J vaccine requiring only one dose.
The Mini Medical School program has been presented by CCHS faculty since 2016. It provides an opportunity for community learners to explore trends in medicine and health, and the lectures offer important information about issues and advances in medicine and research.