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Evolutionary microbiologist Vaughn Cooper has written an article on the evolution of the coronavirus variants. Cooper’s laboratory found out that these variants share similar combinations of mutations. They used experimental evolution to identify at least seven genetically independent lineages that acquired a mutation at one particular spot on the virus’s spike protein, protein used to attach and enter human cells. This is only one example of convergence they discovered and they stressed the need to better monitor these mutations as they can affect the virus functions such as contagiousness or the ability to evade vaccines. Although their work brings them to think that the virus is beginning to run out of new, major adaptations, they advise us to be cautious as viruses can evolve rapidly and surprisingly to evade barriers to transmission. This is why a very effective way of limiting mutations is to limit infections. 

Link to the article : https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-coronavirus-variants-dont-seem-to-be-highly-variable-so-far/