BEIJING (China Daily/ANN): Chinese scientists have discovered the novel coronavirus has evolved into two major subtypes. Experts believe investigating the differences and features of these subtypes may help evaluate risks and formulate better treatment and prevention plans.
The two subtypes are named L and S. The L type is more aggressive and was prevalent in the early stages of the outbreak in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province. But instances of the S type, which is older and less aggressive, have increased in frequency recently, thus possibly explaining the disease's slowing momentum in China.
However, the authors highlighted the fact the data examined in the study is very limited. How L type strains evolved from S type, as well as how these mutations would affect the transmission and pathogenesis of the virus, are still unknown.In the paper, the scientists said the 103 novel coronavirus strains studied could be divided into two major types called L and S, with L being more prevalent and covering 70 per cent of the strains examined.
After January, however, the L type's frequency of appearance decreased compared to the S type, which might explain the virus's slowing momentum in China. For example, the study said a 63-year-old female patient in Chicago had likely contracted both L and S types of novel coronavirus strains when she travelled in Wuhan and returned to the United States on Jan 13.
"Further studies investigating how the different alleles of SARS-CoV-2 viruses compete with each other will be of significant value."
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