A common mutation of the novel coronavirus found in Europe, North America and Southeast Asia may be more infectious but less deadly, an expert told Reuters.
The spread of the new mutation — called D614G — seems to have coincided with a drop in death rates, according to Paul Tambyah, senior consultant at the National University of Singapore and president-elect of the International Society of Infectious Diseases.
Tambyah suggests this mutation could be less fatal.
- “Maybe that’s a good thing to have a virus that is more infectious but less deadly.”
- Viruses tend to become less deadly as they mutate, Tambyah told Reuters.
- “It is in the virus’ interest to infect more people but not to kill them because a virus depends on the host for food and for shelter.”
The United States and Europe have dealt with this mutation of the coronavirus for months now, having discovered it back in February. The World Health Organization said there is likely no evidence that the mutation leads to more severe COVID-19 cases, according to Bloomberg.
- This new mutation “is said to have a higher possibility of transmission or infectiousness, but we still don’t have enough solid evidence to say that that will happen,” Philippines’ Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday, according to Bloomberg.