Has the coronavirus in Italy changed significantly compared to two months ago? Well, Italian doctors claim that the coronavirus has 'enormously weakened.' According to Dr Alberto Zangrillo, head of San Rafaelle in Milan, the coronavirus is now much less lethal and 'no longer clinically exists.'
Moreover, the physician of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, said that the newly infected patients are showing milder symptoms and have a significant decrease in number of the coronavirus in their bodies between March and May.
Has Coronavirus Weakened?
According to theories, viruses tend to weaken in order to cope up with the changes in the environment, as infecting more humans tend to limit their capacity to spread. However, not everyone is on board with this idea.
The research claims that HIV and the common cold have mutated in the same way as the coronavirus. But experts pointed out that these diseases have done it so many times before, but coronavirus has only been discovered a few months ago - in December 2019.
At the same time, scientists said that there is no enough evidence that COVID-19 has adapted in this manner, Metro reports. The San Rafaelle study was based on swab test samples of 200 volunteers taken over the past ten days, compared to the ones taken from a month ago.
But Italian doctors such as Massimo Clementi, the director of San Rafaelle's Microbiology and Laboratory, stand firm on their theory. According to Clementi, the viral load present in the sample showed that coronavirus had 'enormously weakened.'
Moreover, the head of the infectious diseases clinic at Genoa's San Martino hospital, Matteo Bassetti backed these claims, stating that the strength of the virus is no longer the same compared to two months ago.
Dr Zangrillo has announced this controversial claims via the RAI TV channel urging the lawmakers to lift emergency measures as soon as possible.
"In reality, the virus clinically no longer exists in Italy. We've got to get back to being a normal country. Someone has to take responsibility for terrorizing the country," said Dr Zangrillo. "We've got to be wary, yes, but not kill ourselves unnecessarily," he added.
Experts Disagree that Coronavirus is Weakening
Upon hearing those words, Franco Locatelli, the president of the National Health Council and which advises the president, said he was surprised and baffled at Zangrillo's remarks. He emphasizes that all the doctor needs to do is to look at the number of cases every day to see its persistent circulation in the country.
Moreover, Columbia University's Dr Angela Rasmussen said that there is no evidence pointing out that coronavirus is losing potency anywhere. Meanwhile, Dr Seema Yasmin form Stanford University described it as "bull****."
Italy is now experiencing a waning of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks despite relaxation of social distancing measures in line with what has been observed in most European countries, said Francois Balloux from University College London.
As testing efforts are increased, asymptomatic and milder cases are now much likely to be identified, which is important not to confuse with any weakening of the virus. Without significant evidence, nobody should unnecessarily downplay the danger of this deadly coronavirus.
