Electron microscope image of the COVID-19 virus [Provided by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced on the 27th that no mutations have been detected so far in the virus causing the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
On the same day, the KCDC released the results of genetic analysis of the virus obtained from six COVID-19 patients and high-resolution electron microscope images, explaining that "there were no mutations in the cell-binding sites, which play a crucial role in the virus invading the human body, nor in the genetic regions responsible for virus replication and pathogenicity."
They added, "The absence of genetic mutations in the COVID-19 virus means that there are currently no concerns about toxicity changes due to mutations or errors in genetic testing." When compared with a total of 103 viral nucleotide sequences derived from overseas COVID-19 patients, the match rate was between 99.89% and 100%.
Jung Eun-kyung of the KCDC stated, "We are currently conducting an analysis of the virus characteristics, so more detailed analysis results for prevention and response will be presented soon."
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