An international team of scientists at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a link between certain parts of DNA and the likelihood of contracting severe Covid.
The discovery may lead to better and more specialised treatment for those who develop serious symptoms.
After analysing the DNA of more than 50,000 people who tested positive for Covid, the researchers found key differences in 13 genetic markers - or sequences of DNA - between those who became seriously ill after contracting the virus and healthy volunteers.
Two of these genetic markers were found more commonly in patients of East Asian and South Asian ancestry.
One of these two sequences of DNA is also linked to lung cancer, and inhibiting it - or 'turning it off' with medicine - may be an effective treatment in the future.
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The team also discovered certain risk factors, such as smoking and a high body mass index which may also explain why some individuals seem to become more ill than others after contracting Covid.
One of the projects that contributed data to this discovery is GenOMICC (Genetics of Susceptibility and Mortality in Critical Care).
Dr Kenneth Baillie, GenOMICC chief investigator and Academic Consultant at the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute, said: "By working together across the whole world, we are able to accelerate discovery for the benefit of patients.
"This new international analysis builds on the colossal effort made by patients and intensive care research teams across the whole UK in the GenOMICC study.
