Scientist: Mutations of coronavirus weaken it in the long run

Mutations of a new type of coronavirus lead to its weakening in the long term, Associate Professor Head of medical statistics and molecular epidemiology Unit of Rome, Massimo Ciccozzi, states in the article.

Report informs, citing RIA Novosti, that according to the data, 13 coronavirus mutations have been registered in Italy alone. They can lead to an increase in its infectivity but do not affect the pathogenicity. "If the infection degree varies depending on the strain, so far, we have not seen any differences in its behavior within the body or other modes of transmission. Any mutations are dictated by the immune system. In other words, the virus tries to trick the antibodies by adapting to the body. The more the virus mutates and adapts, the more it loses its power and eventually disappears. It only takes time, and we don't know how much," the specialist said.

According to him, mutations, including "British," do not affect the effectiveness of vaccines.

On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of unknown pneumonia. On January 30, WHO recognized the new coronavirus outbreak as a public health emergency of international importance.