SARS-CoV-2 variants that exhibit a 382-nucleotide deletion (∆382) in the open reading frame 8 (ORF8) region of the genome have recently been detected in several countries. Researchers in Singapore conducted a study in which they compared hypoxia development necessitating supplemental oxygen between people infected with the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 to people infected with the ∆382 variant. Individuals infected with the ∆382 variant were less likely to develop hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen than individuals infected with wild-type strain, even after adjustment for comorbidities and age, indicating that the ∆382 variant may be associated with a less severe infection. Specifically 0 of 29 patients infected with the ∆382 variant developed hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen, whereas 26 of 92 patients infected with the wild-type strain formed hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen.