Scientists find variant of Covid-19 virus experiencing 113 mutations, suffered by patients in Jakarta

TIME.CO, Jakarta – Variant covid-19 virus New data submitted to the Global Covid Genomics database in early July caught the attention of scientists. Reports from unnamed virus researchers called this variant the “most extreme” they had ever seen. What is that?

The Covid variant that appears to have originated in Indonesia is perhaps the most mutated version of the virus on record today, according to scientists. Starting with the Delta variant, it has 113 unique mutations. These findings were obtained from swab results from patients in Jakarta. By comparison, Omicron carries about 50 mutations so far.

The patient is suspected to have a long-standing infection that can last for several months. The state of the body with chronic infections usually occurs in patients with compromised immune systems. For example those who have AIDS or are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, which makes them less able to fight viruses.

Such infections worry scientists because they create the perfect conditions for Covid to mutate, potentially allowing it to bypass the body’s defenses.

According to University of Warwick virologist Professor Lawrence Young, it is unclear whether the newly discovered strain has the potential to go on to infect other people.

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Global situation

Today, countries like the UK have reduced the number of genetic tests as the pandemic has faded. “This virus continues to surprise us,” said Young, who cautioned not to settle for things that have gotten better because it could be dangerous, while also emphasizing the problem of living with the virus.

Announcement

“As the virus spreads and continues to mutate, it will inevitably result in serious infections of the most vulnerable and also increase those who bear the brunt of the long-term consequences of infection,” Young explained.

He said the lack of genetic surveillance to pick up emerging variants that might be resistant to the immune system has left the world blind to the new threat. This makes people less aware of the possibility of a new Covid outbreak because the variant is new and potentially more dangerous.

Meanwhile, Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, said the new variant was ‘stunningly mutated’. The covid virus is said to be able to mutate continuously. “Chronic infection has a growing potential to push it to be more apt to infiltrate the human immune system,” he explained.

The concern with chronic infection is that the virus mutates in someone who has developed immunity. Such samples provide an interesting insight into how viruses develop.

Details about patient who owns the sample has not been revealed. Likewise data relating to health problems, age and gender. The finding was initially highlighted by online Covid variant tracker Ryan Hisner before being reported by US virologist Marc Johnson of the University of Missouri.

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