A researcher in Cyprus found a coronavirus strain known as Deltacron. The strain combines the Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. Many experts opined that Deltacron is not a true variation as the hashtag trended on social media. The Cyprus scientist, on the other hand, has maintained his findings.
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So far, what should we know!
- So far, 25 Deltacron cases have been discovered in samples taken in Cyprus. Among these, 10 samples showed mutations of the Omicron variant.
- The strain was given the name ‘Deltacron’ by Leondios Kostrikis, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus. According to reports, the strain’s Delta genomes have Omicron-like genetic characteristics.
- “We will see in the future if this strain is more pathological or more communicable or if it will dominate,” Kostrikis said in an interview.
- Deltacron infection is higher among Covid-19 patients who are hospitalized than among non-hospitalized patients, according to Kostrikis, ruling out the contamination hypothesis. “What’s more, the samples were put through numerous sequencing techniques in different countries.” “At least one sequence from Israel that was deposited in a global database has Deltacron genetic features,” he added.
- Deltacron was dubbed as ‘scariant’ by physician-scientist Eric Topol, rather than a variant. He tweeted, “New subtype of’ scariant’ that isn’t even a true variety but unnecessarily terrifies a lot of people.”
It’s worth noting that Deltacron is not the World Health Organization‘s official name. These aren’t officially recognized variants either.
