HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) — Scientists at a western Montana laboratory are teaming with researchers at a university in the Netherlands to determine whether a newly discovered, deadly virus can spread from person to person.

The new coronavirus was identified when a man died in Saudi Arabia in September. Five others died in Qatar and Saudi Arabia in November, the Ravalli Republic reported Thursday (http://bit.ly/WnURgd ). Five other people were sickened by the virus, but they recovered.

Recommended Stories

Researchers hopeful new coronavirus mutation means virus is weakening: Study

‘All options are on the table’: Trump administration considers more travel restrictions as coronavirus spreads

‘It’s great news’: The coronavirus’s slow mutation is a hopeful sign for those working on a vaccine