Researchers from the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), the Duke-NUS Medical School and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore have recently discovered a new variant for Covid-19 which causes a milder infection. The team behind the discovery published their study in The Lancet medical journal.
From the study, it was discovered, as reported by Malay Mail, that patients who were infected with the new variant experienced better clinical outcomes such as a lower proportion in developing low blood oxygen or the need of intensive care.
The study also discovered that the variant led to a more robust immune response. Gavin Smith from Duke-NUS explained,
“These studies provide the first convincing data showing that an observed genetic change (mutation) in SARS-CoV-2 has affected the severity of disease in patients.”
The researchers also explained that the findings can affect the development of the vaccine as well as treatment for Covid-19. As we slowly gain insight of the virus behind the pandemic, we are hopeful of the possible vaccine development that will surely help everyone fight Covid-19 and prepare us for any other viruses that might show up in the future.
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