Despite the ominous discovery, the researchers were also able to discover that SARS-CoV-2 "has a much lower mutation rate and genetic diversity" than severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which appeared in China in 2002.
The researchers also discovered "the spike (S) protein encoding gene of SARS-COV-2 is found relatively more conserved than other protein-encoding genes, which is a good indication for the ongoing antiviral drug and vaccine development."
A separate study conducted by researchers in Italy published last month
found that the virus is slow to mutate, based on its genetic material. This could aid in helping large swaths of people over an extended period of time once a specific cure is found.