Scientists Dispute Reports on Coronavirus Mutation

Researchers from University College London have determined that the studied mutations do not enhance the transmission or infectivity of the new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This research is published on biorxiv.org.

The specialists analyzed the viral genomes of 15,000 patients. They successfully reconstructed an evolutionary tree model, which helped them determine whether mutations occur more frequently in each branch.

The scientists noted that the coronavirus is not mutating significantly and observed that several mutations have no substantial impact, with most genomic changes being detrimental to the virus itself.