Is THIS why Delta is so infectious? Scientists find little-known mutation on part of Covid variant – Daily Mail
A mutation on the Delta variant that has flown under the radar may explain why it is more than twice as infectious as previous strains.
Scientists tracking the Covid mutant have until now focused their attentions on changes to the virus' spike protein, which it uses to infect cells.
It was presumed these alterations made it easier for Delta to spread between people and harder for their immune systems to recognise and defend against.
Now researchers believe an inconspicuous mutation that alters the virus' structural body might have played a key role in the strain becoming world-dominant.
Their study found R203M — which is unique to Delta — allows the virus to inject up to 10 times more of its genetic code into host cells than older versions of the virus.
When Covid enters the body, it pr...