Paul Tambyah, president-elect of the International Society of Infectious Diseases, said evidence suggests the proliferation of the D614G mutation of the coronavirus in some parts of the world has coincided with a drop in death rates, suggesting it is less lethal. 

“Maybe that’s a good thing to have a virus that is more infectious but less deadly,” Tambyah told Reuters. 

He said most viruses tend to become less virulent as they mutate. It is in the virus’ interest to infect more people but not to kill them because a virus depends on the host for food and for shelter,” he said.