Genetic sequence of COVID-19 decoded in Oman

Muscat: A joint team from the Ministry of Health and the University of Nizwa has arrived at the complete genetic sequence of the SARS-Coronavirus-2 that causes COVID-19, the Oman News Agency announced. The complete genetic sequence of the SARS-Coronavirus-2 includes the genetic fingerprint information and the study links it to the epidemiological data of coronavirus cases in various governorates of the Sultanate.

The study found that the GR strain, which is currently the most widespread strain in the world, is also the widespread strain in the Sultanate. The team further observed that along with the GR strain, there are other strains with a lower prevalence rate such as GH, O and V.

The research finding proved that the widespread strain in the Sultanate is modified and has a D614G mutation by more than 90 per cent, and that this mutation is responsible for accelerating the disease spread and infection. The study aimed to understand the relationship between the strains spread in the Sultanate and link it to the epidemiological data that was monitored by the epidemiological investigation teams at the Ministry of Health, which included 94 samples of cases recorded with COVID-19 in the Sultanate.