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Preliminary studies showed that the new mutation has its well-defined characteristics, which are different from those of the South African strain.
Mexico's Diagnostic and Epidemiological Reference Institute (INDRE) announced it is investigating the possible emergence of a new COVID-19 strain after unknown mutations were detected in four patients at the Jalisco Department.
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At first, INDRE suspected it was the South African strain. However, preliminary studies showed that the new mutation has its well-defined characteristics.
"One of the four COVID-19 patients tested had contact with a foreign person, but the other three cases did not. So experts believe it is a local strain," Disease Control and Prevention Center's General-Director Ruy Lopez explained.
Health authorities "are trying to determine if it is a more virulent strain or if it causes a more severe disease than the South African strain," Lopez added.
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INDRE and the University of Guadalajara are jointly investigating the new mutation to identify its possible impact on the epidemic's course in the country.
"There are many variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Mexico and worldwide, but experts characterize those with potential to cause a more severe disease or if they transmit faster," the official said.
"This strain may not be a Mexican variant. It has to be investigated to call it that way," the official added, informing that Mexico registered 462 new deaths in the past 24 hours.
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— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) April 8, 2020
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