A study by Chinese scientists shows the new coronavirus has been able to rapidly mutate into even deadlier strains, wreaking havoc.
Professor Li Lanjuan and her colleagues from Zhejiang University also found direct evidence that certain mutations could create strains deadlier than others.
The researchers observed “diverse mutations” among the virus strains including one that generates 270 times as much viral load as the least potent type.The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Picture: APThe deadliest strains have been detected in Europe and the US, which is one of the world’s worst-hit countries.
The study has implications for drug and vaccine development, which will have to take the virus mutations into account.
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