After age, weight, and gender, a fourth gene determines the severity of Covid-19 infection

Polish scientists have discovered a gene that they say doubles the risk of developing severe symptoms from Covid-19 infection, something they hope will help doctors identify those most at risk if they contract the disease.

Given that some citizens' reluctance to receive vaccinations is one of the main factors behind the high death rates from infection with the Corona virus in Central and Eastern Europe, the researchers hope that identifying people at higher risk will encourage them to get the vaccine and give them access to intensive treatments in the event of a virus infection. injury.

"After more than a year and a half of work, it has become possible to identify the gene responsible for the susceptibility of some people to serious symptoms (due to the coronavirus)," Health Minister Adam Nidzelsky said.

"This means that in the future we will be able to ... identify people who are predisposed to suffering from severe symptoms of Covid-19," he added.

Researchers from Bialystok University found that the gene is the fourth most important factor in determining a person's risk of infection with Covid-19, after age, weight and gender.

The gene is present in about 14 percent of the population of Poland, compared to between eight and nine percent in Europe as a whole and 27 percent of the population of India, said Marcin Muniuszko, the professor in charge of the project.

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