Mutated Strain of the Coronavirus Now Responsible for Majority of Infections in South Korea
There is no evidence that the European, Middle East, North American strain of the coronavirus is more infectious, but it is interesting how this strain has now become the prevalent form of the virus in South Korea:
South Korea has been detecting more of a mutated strain of the new coronavirus that swept North America, Europe and the Middle East, health authorities said Wednesday, although there is no evidence that the mutation is more infectious.
Based on the type of amino acid of a certain gene, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the novel coronavirus into seven strains — S, V, L, G, GH, GR and the rest.
The GH strain, which is most common in North America, Europe and the Middle East, was first found in South Korea in April.
Of a total of 685 patients, the number of patients infected with the GH strain stood at 169 in May, 223 in June, 47 in July and 85 in August, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The mutated strain accounted for 77.4 percent of the 685 patients, the KCDC said.
Yonhap
You can read more at the link.
The common cold is caused by ever-mutating corona viruses…
I’ll believe in a vaccine for COVID-19 when they cure the cold…
Korea should thank Emperor Xi for this wonderful gift to the world.
You don’t thinkmuch of the annual flu vaccines either, I suppose (Yes, I know flu is not a corona virus, but it is a virus)? There are vaccines for a number of other viral diseases. However, corona viruses include the common cold, SARS, MERS, and of course COVID-19. Sadly no vaccine has been developed as of yet that is effective and safe for human use to combat the corona viruses. COVID-19, with a death rate of 3.4% of confirmed cases according to Johns Hopkins University, is a newcomer to the scene and thus the scientific and medical communities have not had as long to develop a vaccine. Let’s hope they do succeed for not only the current bug but also the others mentioned including the common cold.
johnhenry, until everyone is tested–and tested with accurate tests that are reported honestly–these so-called “death rates” are bovine scatology. And you ought to know that, especially while they’re still reporting deaths with COVID-19 as deaths from COVID-19.
Giving in to fear is not the answer. Fear is a liar.
The flu vaccines are quite often for the wrong variety of flu and completely ineffective. I’ve had The Flu Shot(tm) in my youth (at university and in the USAF); but that’s been roughly 40 years ago. I did receive Tamiflu once, to clear up a flu infection just before my 2nd cancer surgery; but they even told me not to have the shots while going through chemo, radiation, and the periods before and after surgeries. I may be eligible some time in 2023… but “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”…
Other vaccination/innoculation treatments, what I like to call “the real ones”, include the meds against polio, smallpox, mumps, measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, etc. I did get a vaccine against pneumonia last March while in the hospital for another issue related to the chemo I had in 2016.
Try to size up your own health situation, then those of your family. Wash your hands. Wear a mask where legally-required. Don’t sneeze, cough, spew, or blow chunks on others. Good manners cover most of that.