Chinese scientists identify two strains of the coronavirus, indicating it’s already mutated at least once

Researchers in China say preliminary research shows there are two strains of the novel coronavirus that has killed more than 3,200 people and infected more than 92,000 across the globe. Scientists at Peking University’s School of Life Sciences and the Institute Pasteur of Shanghai report that a more aggressive strain has infected roughly 70 percent of those tested, while a less aggressive strain was linked to the remaining 30 percent, according to Reuters. The scientists warned that the data in the study was still very limited.

Researchers named the aggressive strain “L type,” and the less aggressive version “S type.” The L type was seen more often in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak, but the frequency of this type of virus has since decreased from early January. Scientists said the results show the development of new variations of the spike in COVID-19 cases was likely due to “mutations and natural selection besides recombination.”

“These findings strongly support an urgent need for further immediate, comprehensive studies that combine genomic data, epidemiological data, and chart records of the clinical symptoms of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” the study said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday confirmed at least 129 cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. At least nine have died in Washington state. –The Hill

Coronavirus cases in Italy have exploded – with 107 deaths and more than 3,089 cases. Governments around the world are scrambling to contain the spread of COVID-19, which is growing globally even as transmission in China, where the virus originated at the end of last year, continues to show signs of slowing. There are more than 93,000 cases around the world – the overwhelming majority in China – but as deaths are reported in Italy, Iran and the United States, authorities are considering new quarantine zones and travel restrictions. As the number of deaths rose in Iran and Italy, Poland, Morocco, Andorra, Armenia and Argentina all confirmed their first cases of the virus in the past 24 hours. –Aljazeera