The six strains of SARS-CoV-2:
"The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is presumably already optimized to affect human beings, and this explains its low evolutionary change," explains Federico Giorgi, a researcher at Unibo and coordinator of the study. "This means that the treatments we are developing, including a vaccine, might be effective against all the virus strains."
Currently, there are six strains of coronavirus. The original one is the L strain, that appeared in Wuhan in December 2019. Its first mutation—the S strain—appeared at the beginning of 2020, while, since mid-January 2020, we have had strains V and G. To date strain G is the most widespread: it mutated into strains GR and GH at the end of February 2020.
Globally, strains G, GH and GR are constantly increasing. Strain S can be found in some restricted areas in the U.S. and Spain. The L and V strains are gradually disappearing.
Journal Reference:
Mercatelli, Daniele, Giorgi, Federico M.. Geographic and Genomic Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations, Frontiers in Microbiology (DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01800)
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 05 2020, @12:02AM (5 children)
It's too perfect... Kills off only the weak, spreads quicker than AIDS, infectious without symptoms. If I were China's version of Dr Evil, I'd design a virus that only gets rid of the weak.
Yup... Manmade in China.
I only post anon and shitpost all I want, It's the Anonymous Coward way.
(Score: 2) by barbara hudson on Wednesday August 05 2020, @12:05AM (3 children)
SoylentNews is social media. Says so right in the slogan. Soylentnews is people, not tech.
(Score: 1) by zion-fueled on Wednesday August 05 2020, @12:11AM
But a ton more impractical considering how little we can do in that realm.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by RS3 on Wednesday August 05 2020, @01:47AM (1 child)
I'll be cynic for a moment: if the Chinese did create COVID-19 and release it, they may not care if it indiscriminately kills 500 million or 1 billion people worldwide- they still win.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 05 2020, @06:44AM
If the Chinese made it, it would rattle and fall apart in 2 weeks.
(Score: 2) by Opportunist on Wednesday August 05 2020, @12:11AM
If I was to create a weaponized virus, I would certainly not make it a Baltimore IV virus. Way too eager to mutate, way too hard to control.