Notes from genetic studies.
London. 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 at the end of 2019 and then spread rapidly around the world.
Analysis of smears from more than 7,500 people suffering from Covid-19 also revealed mutations in the virus. But this has been known for a long time. In any case, it could possibly be recognized by 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 has been assumed that it only spread in Europe from January. But a study of French scientists published on Monday suggests that there may have been a case at 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.
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