Singapore scientists find Covid-19 variant with milder infectionsAugust 22, 2020 - 11:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Researchers in Singapore have discovered a new variant of the Covid-19 coronavirus that causes milder infections, Reuters reports citing a study published in The Lancet medical journal this week. The study showed that Covid-19 patients infected with a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 had better clinical outcomes, including a lower proportion developing low blood oxygen or requiring intensive care. The study also showed the variant, which has a large deletion in a part of its genome, elicited a more robust immune response. The study involved researchers from various Singapore institutions, including the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), the Duke-NUS Medical School and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research. “These studies provide the first convincing data showing that an observed genetic change (mutation) in SARS-CoV-2 has affected the severity of disease in patients,” said Gavin Smith at Duke-NUS. The scientists said the findings had implications for vaccine development and treatments for Covid-19. Almost 23 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported around the world and more than 799,000 have died from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University. The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said, meanwhile, that he hopes the coronavirus crisis can be ended in less than two years. Photo. Reuters Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |