Public health experts are concerned about mutated versions of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, that combine the worst elements of different strains. When two or more slightly different versions of SARS-CoV-2 meet, they can share genetic information and transform into beefier, more troublesome pathogens.
These offshoots, known as recombinants, can be more contagious — better at evading immunity and often better at overcoming certain medications. Obviously, this poses a great menace to hospitals and doctors' offices, which are staring down a triple threat this winter as cases of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID surge as temperatures fall.
