The coronaviruses identified in Algeria and those discovered in China are not similar. This was revealed on Wednesday by the head of the Chinese medical delegation, on mission since May 14 in Algeria. This team of eminent experts in the fight against the coronavirus will leave the country this Thursday, May 28 after having completed their work. Before her departure, she took stock of the situation linked to the pandemic.
To do this, the leader of this team, Zhou Lin, gave a press conference during which he assured that the epidemic situation is under control in Algeria. He also said that the coronaviruses detected in Algeria and those discovered in his country were different.
“The coronavirus detected in Algeria is not the same as that detected in China,” he said. He said that “the two viruses are different” and that “the one detected in Algeria seems to resemble the one found in France”. The Chinese expert did not provide further details on this issue.
“The situation in Algeria is under control”.
According to a Chinese scientific study published on March 3 in the National Science Review, the current coronavirus (Covid-19) has mutated and two different versions (or strains) are currently in circulation. According to the same study, all viruses mutate, but the mutations do not necessarily go to the “worst”. Thus, the differences between the two strains of the coronavirus are quite minimal.
Furthermore, another study, conducted in France, reveals that the main strain of Covid-19 present in France is linked to a genetic group (a “clade” in scientific language) which has no link with China or the ‘Italy.
Either way, the virus continues to claim lives around the world. In Algeria, “the epidemiological situation is stable and under control thanks to the measures taken in particular by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Scientific Committee to follow the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic”, assured the Chinese expert Zhou Linen.
The latter, however, warns against any relaxation. He stressed the need to continue to respect the barrier measures against the coronavirus, in particular hygiene and social distancing.
“Chloroquine works”
In addition, the head of the Chinese delegation refrained from giving his expert opinion on the issue of deconfinement in Algeria. “We were questioned by the minister about this. Our response will be sent in writing. But know that the Scientific Committee is examining the issue of deconfinement, while analyzing the situation, ”he explained.
On another register, Mr. Lin declared that the therapeutic protocol based on chloroquine, adopted by Algeria to treat patients infected with coronaviruses, was effective.