A team of experts has found that the mutation of coronavirus has become more contagious than before. Scientists say that the virus has evolved to evade social distancing efforts and mask-wearing. The new study has identified a new strain of the virus, which is responsible for 99.9 percent during the second wave of the spread. This new strain of the virus is known as D614G mutation. The study says that people who are infected with this strain have greater loads of virus, which indicates that it is more contagious. However, experts say that this strain of the virus might not be that deadly but it has better potential to spread among humans. The report has not been peer-reviewed yet.
David Morens who is a virologist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has said that this time the infection is quite strong which will be beyond our capabilities to control it. The author of the study has said that wearing masks, washing hands frequently are the barriers to the spread of the virus, but now, the virus can cross these barriers. Such mutation helps the virus to transmit faster than before. Experts have said that one mutation in the spike protein of the virus leads to a higher amount of virus infection in the respiratory tract, which leads to a faster spread of the virus. However, it cannot result in more severe disease.
The study has observed more than 5000 specimens of the virus to understand the consequences. This study is the largest mutation research across the metropolitan area. Experts have said that it is very crucial to track and examine the virus mutation. In every mutation, the virus does not even change, however, in such cases; the mutation reflects that the virus is more infectious. The biggest worry of such a mutation is whether it has worsened the severity of the disease. Experts have said that we need to control the spread of the virus effectively, as every time someone is infected there is an increased risk of mutation.
