Scientists discover blood group most resistant to Coronavirus

Jun 10, 2020 3:52 PM

The novel Coronavirus outbreak, which began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has expanded to touch nearly every corner of the globe.

Hundreds of thousands of people, around the world have been affected, and thousands of others have died.

With the number of deaths recorded, scientists carried out a comprehensive research, on the blood group that can most resist the virus.

DNA testing firm 23andMe, conducted a preliminary study, which looked at genetic profiles of more than 750,000 customers.

Results from the study, suggested that people with blood type O, may be more protected from getting the disease, than those with other blood types.

The company zeroed in on a variant in the ABO gene, the gene that determines the blood type, that seemed to be associated with a lower risk of infection.

23andMe found that compared to individuals with other blood types, those with type O were between 9% to 18% percent, less likely to have tested positive for Covid-19.

Healthcare and other frontline workers in the fight against the virus, who are more likely to be exposed to the virus, blood group O was similarly protective.

But the company further advised everyone, to keep to the various measures, as is the only way, to prevent wide spread of the virus.