Scientists are now looking for the so-called "COVID-19 super-dodger." As of press time, many countries across the globe are still experiencing rising daily infection cases.
(Photo : Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)
A woman wearing a protective mask is seen in Union Square on March 9, 2020 in New York City. There are now 20 confirmed coronavirus cases in the city including a 7-year-old girl in the Bronx.
Since the novel coronavirus hasn't been completely neutralized, more than 600 million individuals are already infected by the viral disease.
Although there are new variants that are quite contagious, some individuals are still able to avoid contracting COVID-19.
Many of them were even exposed to people infected with the coronavirus. If you are among these individuals, then there's a high chance that you are a COVID-19 super-dodger.
Why COVID-19 'Super-Dodgers' are Valuable to Health Experts
According to NPR's latest report, 80% of children under the age of 18 in the United States have been infected. However, some have been exposed multiple times but never tested positive for COVID-19.
(Photo : Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Healthcare professionals prepare to screen people for the coronavirus at a testing site erected by the Maryland National Guard in a parking lot at FedEx Field March 30, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. The guard, in cooperation with the state of Maryland and Prince Georges Count.
"We've heard countless anecdotes about nurses and health-care workers, being exposed without any protection and remaining negative over and over again," said Jean-Laurent Casanova, a pediatrician at Rockefeller University.
There are various factors why many people were not infected despite getting exposed. A team of researchers at the University of California conducted a new study to understand how people become COVID-19 super-dodgers.
Jill Hollenback, the health expert leading the research, said they found a genetic mutation that can prevent an individual from developing COVID-19 symptoms.
However, he and his team clarified that this genetic mutation still can't prevent people from getting infected.
Now, the new study called "COVID Human Genetic Effort" aims to know if COVID-19 super-dodgers are really naturally immune from the disease.
How to Participate?
If you were exposed to infected individuals but still tested negative for COVID-19, then you can help with the new study.
The California-based health team allows participants to be involved remotely and in person. You can either visit their physical centers or have a video-call interview.
For those who are interested in participating, just visit the official website of COVID Human Genetic Effort or click this link.
In other stories, new COVID-19 cases forced the world's biggest electronics wholesale market to close.
On the other hand, China's COVID-19 cases reportedly threaten Apple and other businesses.
For more news updates about COVID-19 and other health topics, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
Related Article: COVID-19 Vaccine Can Now Be Administered For Young Children, FDA Says
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Written by: Griffin Davis
