Covid-19: New studies suggest virus evolves naturally

New York - Studies find that coronaviruses are closely related to pandemic strain in bats, pangolins in Southeast Asia and Japan.

New studies have suggested that Covid-19 evolved naturally and is far more widespread than previously believed, a media report said.

"At least four recent studies have identified coronaviruses closely related to the pandemic strain in bats and pangolins in Southeast Asia and Japan, a sign that these pathogens are more widespread than previously known and that there was ample opportunity for the virus to evolve," The Wall Street Journal said on Monday.

Another study has found that a change in one amino acid -- an organic compound to form proteins -- on the spike protein of the virus can allow the virus to infect human cells, the newspaper added.

"These latest pieces of research add to evidence that the virus, called SARS-CoV-2, likely originated in bats and then evolved naturally to infect humans, possibly through an intermediary animal," it said.