Covid-19 Mutations

Like all viruses, Covd-19 is mutating.  Much of the media coverage focuses on reducing public fear of mutations by pointing out that Covid-19 appears to be relatively stable, and most mutations are harmless.  There is, however, the long-term possibility that Covid-19 will spread more easily, or become more deadly, as a result of mutations.  Experts also remind us that vaccines and immunity are effective only to the degree that the virus remains unchanged in essential ways.

March, 2020.  Early Facts from the Experts

Al Aribiya (headquarters in Dubai), 3/27/2020. https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2020/03/27/Coronavirus-mutates-into-40-strains-How-this-changes-the-pandemic-outlook-Exp

"In early March, Chinese researchers identified 149 mutations in the 103 sequenced genomes of the coronavirus.    ...  More recently, Iceland’s high-volume testing revealed there are at least 40 mutations of the virus in the country of 340,000 people alone.     ...

Dr Derek Gatherer, an infectious disease specialist at Lancaster University, said he was not surprised with the findings in Iceland. 'This is much as we would expect. All viruses accumulate mutations, but few of them are of much medical consequence,' he said. 

April, 2020.  An Overview from The NYT

An early article on how the coronavirus mutates and spreads.
NYT 4/30/2020. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/30/science/coronavirus-mutations.html

June, 2020.  One Month, Two Opinions

The World Health Organization says the coronavirus isn't mutating into something more dangerous.  MSN Lifestyle 6/5/2020.  https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/who-finally-has-some-good-news-about-coronavirus/ar-BB1568m

Is a particular mutation making the coronavirus more contagious?
The Washington Post 6/29/2020.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/06/29/coronavirus-mutation-science/?arc404=true

August, 2020. 

A new strain of CV19 in Malaysia may be more infectious. - Bloomberg, 8/17/2020.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-17/malaysia-detects-virus-strain-that-s-10-times-more-infectious

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Updated:  6/29/20