There is growing evidence that the novel corona virus may not have been in circulation around the world since the beginning of 2020. Scientists from the University of London published a study on Wednesday that the virus appeared in late 2019 and then spread rapidly around the world.
The team of twelve scientists wrote: “Phylogenetic estimates suggest that the pandemic started between October 6 and December 11, which is the period in which the virus spread from animals to humans.”
When analyzing gene samples from more than 7,500 people suffering from Covid-19, mutations in the virus were also discovered. It may be possible to see how the virus develops as it spreads. However, it cannot be said whether it became more or less deadly and contagious.
The researchers at the renowned University College London (UCL) also emphasize in the journal “Infection, Genetics and Evolution” that they could not determine the exact starting point of the pandemic. The Chinese authorities first informed the World Health Organization (WHO) of the new lung disease on December 31.
So far, it was assumed that it only spread to Europe from January. But a study by French scientists published on Monday suggests that there might have been a case in France by the end of last year.
A French hospital had re-tested old samples from pneumonia patients and discovered that on December 27, they treated a man who had Covid-19. (Tsp, AFP)
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