Unraveling Covid-19: From Hookworms to Sugar Connections

Scientists from the University of Virginia have discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, can infect cells through alternative pathways when the ACE2 receptor is blocked. This finding may explain how the virus easily jumps between species, including domestic animals and minks. Understanding how the virus moves between species could help predict its future evolution and potential outbreaks. The study does not provide conclusive evidence on the origins of the pandemic, but highlights the need to monitor and understand the spread of coronaviruses to prevent future pandemics.