Turkey 'detects new, unique coronavirus mutation'

A new mutation of COVID-19 unique to Turkey has been detected, a Health Ministry Science Committee member said. "We know there are mutations that are unique to our country, but we don't know what effects these variations will have," Hazan Tezer said.

Monday February 15 2021 10:52 am

Duvar English

The Turkish Health Ministry detected new variations of the COVID-19 that are unique to Turkey, Science Committee member Prof. Hazan Tezer said.

"We know there are mutations that are unique to our country, but we don't know what effects these variations will have," Tezer told local news agencies.

The coronavirus mutates once or twice every month, leaving behind different genetic imprints in each country, Tezer added.

"We should increase precautions to be safe. We are not affected yet, but data shows that we could be after mid-February," Tezer said.

There have been about 400 patients diagnosed with the mutation from England, which is expected to become the most widespread variation of the coronavirus, Tezer noted.

"The mutated virus is spreading in our country too, and it spreads fast."

Turkey diagnosed some 6,287 new patients on Feb. 14, and 94 patients died.