Hong Kong third wave: coronavirus may have stopped mutating, making it more infectious, study finds
- Polytechnic University team studied samples taken from different clusters since late June and found no genetic difference
- Either the virus has ceased to mutate, or the cases all contracted the virus at the same place in a short period of time
The team at Polytechnic University also discovered strains in more than 20 recently confirmed local cases were highly identical to those of some imported cases, proving they were the source.
The study shed light on how the pandemic was spreading across the city and authorities would examine the conclusions, Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee said.
“The genetic sequencing done by the experts is effective empirical evidence that provides us with a clearer picture,” Chan said on a radio programme. “The Centre for Health Protection was unable to find the source earlier, but now there is evidence and we will follow up in a serious manner.”
The research was carried out by the university’s department of health technology and informatics, supported by the Department of Health.