Mutated coronavirus may be more contagious, but less deadly: experts

Kullar referred to two studies published in the Journal Cell that she said suggested this mutated strain was 10 times more infectious than the original strain but less deadly. The infectious disease specialist cautioned an epidemiological study needs to be done confirming these findings in people, not just a lab.

A virus typically starts out very virulent and deadly and slowly mutates so the host survives, Kullar said.

This allows it to live in a dormant state in the host and potentially reappear at a later point, she explained.

via nypost.com