This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
Published on May 6, 2020, a study by scientists at University College London's (UCL) Genetics Institute found almost 200 recurrent genetic mutations of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
According to Francois Balloux, a UCL professor who co-led the research, the results showed that a large proportion of the global genetic diversity of the virus causing COVID-19 was found in all of the hardest-hit countries.
This suggests that the virus was already being transmitted extensively around the globe from early on in the epidemic.
Balloux stated, 'All viruses naturally mutate. Mutations in themselves are not a bad thing and there is nothing to suggest SARS-CoV-2 is mutating faster or slower than expected.'
However, a second study published on the same day by scientists at Britain's University of Glasgow found that previous work suggesting there were two different strains was inaccurate.
More than 3.68 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally, and 256,000 have died, according to a Reuters tally.
