Initially, scientists believed COVID-19 would mutate slowly, but extensive research has revealed that the virus mutates rapidly, especially among immunocompromised individuals. Studies show that when SARS-CoV-2 infects these individuals, it can survive for extended periods, leading to a significant accumulation of mutations. This extended timeframe allows the virus to 'experiment' with various mutations to evade immune responses, leading to new variants such as Omicron. Understanding these dynamics can help in predicting future viral evolutions and managing pandemic responses more effectively.
When the virus jumps from person to person, it gets about two mutations a month. The more time you have, the more mutations you can accumulate.
It's almost like a training camp for the virus to find ways to hide from our immune system. Those mutations may help it spark a new wave of infections.
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