mutation Coronavirus mutation emerges that may outmaneuver mask-wearing and hand-washing New preliminary research suggests a dominant strain of coronavirus may be more contagious than others. A virologist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) who reviewed the study said the findings suggest the virus may have become more contagious and could possibly be responding to health measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing. Other experts questioned the study, saying they have yet to identify a mutation that would change how infectious or deadly the virus is.

US Surge The coronavirus has surged this week in nearly half of U.S. states Most of the increases occurred in the Midwest and western parts of the country. The U.S. now has a seven-day average of about 43,000 new cases per day after the number of infections had been falling for eight consecutive weeks. The increase in new infections across the country comes as health officials worry the fall and winter months could bring more devastation when the flu season kicks off.