Market anxiety deepened following reports that researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology identified a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, that enters cells using the same receptor as COVID-19. While the virus has not yet been detected in humans, its ability to infect mammalian cells raises concerns about potential spillover. This strain is closely related to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a virus with a 36% fatality rate, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Scientists warn that its cross-species infection capability increases the risk of future human transmission, though its full threat remains uncertain.

‍

The news sent vaccine stocks surging, with Moderna rising 6.6%, Novavax up 7.8%, and BioNTech climbing 5.1%. Pfizer also gained 2.6%, reflecting renewed investor interest in pandemic-related plays.

‍