Coronavirus is mutating. Here's why it's not a big deal

KABC logo
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Coronavirus is mutating. Here's why it's not a big deal
There have been news reports about a "mutant coronavirus" that appears to be more contagious that prior versions. We asked Dr. Angela Baldwin to explain.Is there a new strain of coronavirus? Dr. Angela Baldwin from ABC News explains the news reports about a "mutant coronavirus" that appears to be more contagious that prior versions.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- There have been news reports about a "mutant coronavirus" that appears to be more contagious that prior versions. We asked Dr. Angela Baldwin, medical journalist for ABC News, to explain.

"It's not actually a new strain," she said. "When you have a virus such as the one we have now, it's common for the DNA to mutate. That's expected."

Baldwin went on to say one bit of good news is that this mutation does not appear to be more lethal.

Watch the video above for the full interview.

MORE HEADLINES:

Doctors answer your coronavirus questions during ABC7's virtual town hall

FDA approves coronavirus vaccine's next phase in clinical trial

Army of contact tracers in California seek to stomp out coronavirus

The state is ramping up a program to identify people who are potentially exposed to the coronavirus but are unaware of it.