From Alpha to Delta to Omicron-Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, individuals have been left in a perpetual state of which variant will come next? Enters NeoCov.

NeoCov, contrary to popular belief, is not in fact a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, which has held the world hostage for almost two years.

Instead, the term ‘NeoCov’ is one being used loosely to refer to a virus variant of MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) which belongs to the larger coronavirus family and is one of the seven known coronaviruses that can infect humans.

In the past, MERS-CoV which is spread through animals, has caused large outbreaks in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and South Korea.

Though it is not a new variant, NeoCov has recently risen in prominence following a new study from Wuhan scientists that has yet to be peer-reviewed, and which hypothesised that NeoCov is one mutation away from being able to infect humans.

In the event that this infection were to occur, the study noted that current COVID-19 vaccinations are inadequate to protect humans from the eventuality of the infection.

It is believed that 1 in 3 persons infected could die from NeoCov.

Despite this, the World Health Organization said NeoCov is not yet cause for concern as “whether the virus detected in the study will pose a risk for humans will require further study”.