Researchers, including those from the University of Texas at El Paso in the US, conducted genetic analysis of the novel coronavirus and its similar variants in animals, and confirmed that its closest relative is a coronavirus that infects bats.
The novel coronavirus was well-suited to jump from animals to humans by shapeshifting and gaining the ability to infect people, according to a study which sheds light on the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers, including those from the University of Texas at El Paso in the US, conducted genetic analysis of the novel coronavirus and its similar variants in animals, and confirmed that its closest relative is a coronavirus that infects bats.