Houston scientists identify new mutations of coronavirus | Fusion - WeRIndia

The novel coronavirus is trembling the world. Its complete mechanism is still not known; hence the world is following COVID-19 protocols. While the world lays hope on the vaccine, it cannot be said that when would it come into the market.

Now, the scientists from Houston identified new mutations of the novel coronavirus.

They studied more than 5,000 genetic sequences of the novel coronavirus and found a mutation in them which could make the virus more contagious.

However, these mutations are not deadlier and most of them are insignificant. Nor they affected the clinical results of the disease.

James Musser, one of the scientists, said the coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 are comparatively stable due to their proofreading mechanism when replicating.

However, there are many chances for the virus to change and have probable severe consequences.

David Morens, a virologist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reviewed the study. He said the virus became more transmissible as it can circulate through the population. It may adversely affect the ability to control it.

He said that it has to be peer-reviewed to confirm the fact as it is the only study.

So far, the novel coronavirus could be responding to COVID-19 protocols like wearing a face mask, washing hands and following social distancing.

All these measures remain barriers to control the transmission of the virus. But, if it becomes more contagious, then it may get around these barriers.

If the immunity of people becomes high enough to fight against it, then the coronavirus may find a way to evade the human immune response. Then the world has to face a similar situation with the flu virus.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/corona-coronavirus-virus-blood-5174671/