Viruses naturally evolve by gathering mutations, gaining the ability to pass more easily between people or becoming deadlier. This week, Chinese researchers analyzed 103 genomes from infected patients in several countries.
Viruses naturally evolve by gathering mutations, gaining the ability to pass more easily between people or becoming deadlier. That’s why scientists are watching closely to track how COVID-19 changes.
Scientific sleuths look at the genetic sequence of a virus like a fingerprint at a crime scene. They’re focused on finding sudden changes in the sequence over time — a mutation.
This week, Chinese researchers analyzed 103 publicly available genomes from infected patients in several countries.
The results suggest the virus isn’t mutating into a more dangerous version. In fact, it’s possible newer mutations are making the virus less deadly.
The results from the team at