[burger]

Note, generally speaking as infectious agents mutate, they tend to increase their ease of transmission (natural selection; easier to transmit viruses get transmitted more), and decrease their virulence and mortality (because dead people can't transmit the virus).


BC

I agree, but as oldalum noted, this virus seems to spread when patients are still asymptomatic. Also, the death rate is not so high that it's killing people before it can spread.  So I doubt that there is much selective pressure for less virulence or mortality right now.  Perhaps that will change as control measures improve.

[burger]

Note, generally speaking as infectious agents mutate, they tend to increase their ease of transmission (natural selection; easier to transmit viruses get transmitted more), and decrease their virulence and mortality (because dead people can't transmit the virus).


BC

I agree, but as oldalum noted, this virus seems to spread when patients are still asymptomatic. Also, the death rate is not so high that it's killing people before it can spread.  So I doubt that there is much selective pressure for less virulence or mortality right now.  Perhaps that will change as control measures improve.