BEIJING: Scientists in China discovered a new coronavirus in bats, which is eerily similar to the former COVID-19 virus. The new strain is HKU5-CoV-2, much similar to the SARS-CoV-2. It is feared that the new variant possesses the potential to infect humans due to its ability to penetrate cell surface proteins. Information about the new virus was published in the Chinese journal Cell Scientific.

Shi Zhengli, a Chinese virologist known as Batwoman who researches SARS-like coronaviruses of bat origin, conducted the research at the Guangzhou laboratory. Although the new virus can spread to humans, a conclusion is still a far cry as research is ongoing about animal-to-human transmission. Several variants of COVID-19 have already been identified, but only a few of them can spread to humans.

Like SARS-CoV-2, the bat virus HKU5-CoV-2 contains a feature known as a furin cleavage site that helps enter cells via the ACE2 receptor protein. This virus mainly infects the human intestines and respiratory tract. The spread of disease will be slow. Meanwhile, Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, has responded to the study. It is said that people are more immune to SARS viruses than in 2019 and he played down chances of a disaster on the same lines as Covid.