Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shandong University conducted a study on the evolutionary origin of SARS-CoV-2 and discovered 24 new types of coronavirus in bats. The results are published in the journal Cell.
The experts examined samples of saliva and waste products from 342 bats collected between May 2019 and November 2020. In the material, the researchers found more than two dozen COVID-19 genomes and identified four coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV-2, which caused the pandemic.
The viruses associated with SARS-CoV-2 continue to circulate in bat populations, scientists said. Experts emphasized that bats are an excellent natural reservoir for pathogens that cause severe disease in humans.
“In addition to bats and humans, coronavirus infection can infect many domestic and wild animals, including pigs, cattle, mice, cats, dogs, chickens, deer and hedgehogs,” the publication said.
Earlier, scientists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi discovered three mutated strains of coronavirus, including those who are vaccinated. According to experts, the vaccinated patients contracted the B.1.617 virus line, which includes three strains with multiple mutations.
Over the past day in Russia, 13,510 cases of coronavirus infection were detected in 85 regions, this is the maximum since February 15. The largest number of new infections was recorded in Moscow (6701), the Moscow region (889) and St. Petersburg. The smallest is in the Magadan Region (5), the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (3) and the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (1).
