In contrast to a lab-origin, the investigation by the WHO team now strongly suggests virus origin to a natural reservoir in bats, but unlikely to have been in Wuhan. The virus jumping directly from bats to humans is highly unlikely and initial investigation too suggests the introduction into humans through an intermediary host species. By … Continue reading Conspiracy theories about SARS-CoV-2 virus origin put to rest
Human-to-human transmission
Should India be overly worried about the new coronavirus variant?
Even if the new variant — VOC 201212/01 — that is thought to be more transmissible is already present in India, it might not be able to spread wildly as a sizeable percentage of people are already infected. Suspending flights from UK might be able to stop its introduction into India, but the N501Y mutation … Continue reading Should India be overly worried about the new coronavirus variant?
No evidence to suggest cluster 5 variant increases coronavirus transmissibility, disease severity
Since June, 214 people in Denmark have been reported to have been infected with a variant of the novel coronavirus — cluster 5 — associated with farmed minks. This includes 12 cases reported on November 5, eight of whom had a link with mink farming while four cases were from the community. Preliminary findings indicate … Continue reading No evidence to suggest cluster 5 variant increases coronavirus transmissibility, disease severity
Confusion reigns as CDC takes down guidance that confirmed aerosol transmission
A draft of the proposed changes to its recommendations, which was later withdrawn pending finalisation, the CDC confirmed that airborne particles can spread even by breathing, remain suspended in air and be inhaled and spread beyond six feet in certain enclosed settings.
Finally, CDC acknowledges aerosol as the ‘main way’ of coronavirus spread
On September 18, CDC revised its guidelines to acknowledge that the “main way” the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) spreads is through aerosols. It also for the first time mentions that virus can spread through breathing, stay suspended in air and travel to distances beyond six feet.
One mutated coronavirus type dominates globally
NIBMG scientists have analysed 3,669 whole genome sequence data of novel coronavirus from across the world and found 10 types (clades) in addition to the one that originated in Wuhan. They found the A2a type enhances the efficiency of entry into cells was predominant across geographic regions. Scientists at the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics … Continue reading One mutated coronavirus type dominates globally
Substantial coronavirus spread seen before symptoms show up
A study published in Nature Medicine found that people infected with novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) start shedding the virus two-three days before symptoms show up. Studying 77 pairs of infector-infectee pairs, the researchers estimate that 44% of secondary infected people can spread the virus even before symptoms show up. In a study published recently, researchers found that … Continue reading Substantial coronavirus spread seen before symptoms show up
Novel coronavirus can be transmitted even before symptoms show up
Even as WHO maintains that risk of getting infected from people not exhibiting any symptoms is low, a few studies done on clusters have found evidence supporting it. People were found to transmit the virus one-three days prior to showing symptoms. The World Health Organization maintains that novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) the risk of getting infected … Continue reading Novel coronavirus can be transmitted even before symptoms show up
NEJM study claiming novel coronavirus can be transmitted during incubation period flawed
Contrary to claims made in NEJM, the Chinese woman did not transmit the novel coronavirus to the German during the incubation period. She had symptoms during her stay in Germany but was tested for the virus only on her return to China. A Correspondence published on January 30 in the medical journal The New England Journal of … Continue reading NEJM study claiming novel coronavirus can be transmitted during incubation period flawed
Novel coronavirus: Human-to-human transmission in Wuhan started in mid-December
Human-to-human transmission of novel coronavirus had occurred among close contacts since the middle of December 2019 and spread out gradually within a month after that, says a paper in NEJM. In early stages, the epidemic doubled in size approximately every 7.4 days in Wuhan. As on January 31, the number of confirmed cases of novel … Continue reading Novel coronavirus: Human-to-human transmission in Wuhan started in mid-December
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