Close X
Sunday, December 22, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Has the coronavirus mutated in any significant way?

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Aug, 2020 07:43 PM
  • Has the coronavirus mutated in any significant way?

Has the coronavirus mutated in any significant way?

It doesn’t seem to have changed in a way that makes people less or more sick. There’s some evidence that a specific mutation called D614G may have made it easier for the virus to be transmitted between people. But not all scientists are convinced, and it’s hard to say how strong any such effect might be.

The D614G mutation, which appeared quite early in the pandemic, has since become so common that most outbreaks are caused by strains that carry it.

It’s normal for viruses to mutate over time, but most genetic changes don’t affect their behaviour.

 

MORE Health ARTICLES

Study hints, can't prove, survivor plasma fights COVID-19

Study hints, can't prove, survivor plasma fights COVID-19
Mayo Clinic researchers reported a strong hint that blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors helps other patients recover, but it’s not proof and some experts worry if, amid clamour for the treatment, they'll ever get a clear answer.

Study hints, can't prove, survivor plasma fights COVID-19

Kids harmed by edible pot: Health Canada

Kids harmed by edible pot: Health Canada
Health Canada is warning people to do more to keep edible pot products out of the hands of kids.

Kids harmed by edible pot: Health Canada

Some coffee with your coffee? Dunkin' launching cereal line

Some coffee with your coffee? Dunkin' launching cereal line
As if 2020 wasn’t weird enough, Dunkin’ is getting into the cereal game.

Some coffee with your coffee? Dunkin' launching cereal line

COVID-19 measures could disrupt rare polio-like disease

COVID-19 measures could disrupt rare polio-like disease
Health experts once thought 2020 might be the worst year yet for a rare paralyzing disease that has been hitting U.S. children for the past decade.

COVID-19 measures could disrupt rare polio-like disease

Salmonella outbreak linked to U.S. red onions

Salmonella outbreak linked to U.S. red onions
Health authorities are warning consumers in Central and Western Canada to avoid eating red onions imported from the U.S. that have been linked to a salmonella outbreak.

Salmonella outbreak linked to U.S. red onions

Medicare coverage for Alzheimer brain scans in question

Medicare coverage for Alzheimer brain scans in question
A big study to help Medicare officials decide whether to start covering brain scans to check for Alzheimer’s disease missed its goals for curbing health care costs, calling into question whether the pricey tests are worth it.

Medicare coverage for Alzheimer brain scans in question

PrevNext