Coronavirus: there are 2 types, Chinese researchers find, while authorities say faeces and urine can transmit the infection

South China Morning Post ^ | 03/04/2020 | Gigi Choy and Teddy Ng

[SeekAndFind]

The coronavirus has evolved into two major types, with differing transmission rates and geographical distribution, according to a study published in the National Science Review on Tuesday.

A group of Chinese scientists analysed 103 coronavirus genomes and identified mutations in 149 sites across the strains.

They found that one type, which they called the L type, was more prevalent than the other, the S type, meaning it was more infectious. They also found that the L type had evolved from the S type, and that the L type was far more widespread before January 7 and in Wuhan, ground zero of the outbreak.

Human actions soon after the outbreak was discovered in December may have changed the abundance of each type, the report said, citing the Chinese central and local governments’ drastic containment measures including lockdowns of cities, which it said may have curbed the spread of the L type.

The researchers said follow-up studies were needed to form a better understanding of the virus’ evolution and spread.

The spread of infection through faeces and urine has been recognised as an additional mode of transmission in China’s latest coronavirus diagnosis and treatment plan.

Citing research in which traces of coronavirus were found in patients’ stool samples, the NHC’s plan added contact with and aerosolisation of contaminated faeces and urine as transmission modes. Aerosolisation refers to conversion into particles small enough to be carried in the air.

Chinese health authorities have said that respiratory droplets and close contact with infected people are the main ways the coronavirus is spread. The NHC added in its previous treatment plan that aerosol transmission was possible for those in a relatively closed environment for long periods.

[aimhigh]

This means public restrooms become one of the most dangerous places to visit.

[bitt]

p

[Flaming Conservative]

Is it just me, or do China’s reported deaths seem a tad low, as in FAKE?

[thoughtomator]

It’s not good, for sure, but not the civilization-ending catastrophe that many fear.

[lepton]

And that 3.4% rate from WHO is nonsense-math. It’s stated as being died-so-far/reported-ill. If the final mortality rate ends up being near that, it’d only be by coincidence.

[lepton]

well yeah if there’s a 100% infection rate it could be 11 mil dead
but the chances of that are essentially zero

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probably more likely in the 5-20% range if it acted like the flu, so, 500k-2 million. But some of us are taking contact precautions, so that will lower it. But there is no vaccine currently available, so no firestops, so that will raise it.

[LucyT]

.

PING

[Fury]

Heard on Youtube last night that a resident in Wuhan is saying that 20 portable crematoriums are being used and they aren’t checking to see if the person is still alive.

Link please. Expect to provide a source for that if you post things like this.

[lepton]

if you live in a questionable area, don’t just remove your shoes at home...disinfect them.

[lepton]

At least he’s got an escape button in case things go wrong.

[Lazamataz]

Now for a musical interlude. "Those are people who died, died."

[lepton]

While your main post is correct, the additional quote is just stupid. That’s not how any of the math works except to show that the disease spreads faster than it kills.

“Situation reports from the World Health Organization provide an upper boundary of the mortality rate. As of Wednesday, there were more than 60,150 laboratory-confirmed infections around the world, resulting in at least 1,365 deaths. A bit of simple arithmetic indicates that slightly more than 2% of those infections were fatal”

The upper bound at the moment, outside of China, as of yesterday was just over 20%.

Of those reported cases, there are only 825 who have recovered, compared to 214 dead.

Because of the difference between time to die and time to recover, we haven’t hit the part of the curve yet where that mortality rate begins to drop.

That assuredly is off from the final number by what seems* likely to be a factor of about 3-5.5, depending where in that curve we actually are and developing success in treatment.

[thoughtomator]

Weather is already warming up, and we’re past peak flu season.

Unless there are undetected, massive outbreaks all over the US already, this isn’t going to hit 5%. Especially not with the level of paranoia out there about it.

[Vermont Lt]

The is no indication this is bothered by the heat. Singapore is pretty toasty.

[Brown Deer]

1.386 billion people in China x 3.86% = fifty-three million four hundred ninety-nine thousand six hundred

[Ozark Tom]

As with infection control of the poultry industry, place a basin at entryways, with disinfectant at a level sufficient to wet the bottoms of the shoes. Use shoe booties to keep the underlying shoes clean.

[moovova]

Hah...I missed that.

[Osage Orange]

Turds can carry it?

Good Gosh...Washington D.C. would cease to exist!!

Bring it on!!!

[lepton]

February is the last of the most common peak flu outbreaks, though I was reading on the CDC sites that they do go happen as late as May.

Especially not with the level of paranoia out there about it.

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One can hope. As I’ve said elsewhere, the more people that prepare the less likely we will need to have been prepared. We’ve been very fortunate to have been able to put the COVID off a couple of months after we learned of it.