Deltacron – New Hybrid Covid Strain Identified as Deltacron

As the Omicron variant-driven third wave of Covid is fading away, researchers from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are monitoring a hybrid variant combining the Omicron and Delta variants of Covid.

As it turns out, the UKHSA has detected the new variant in a patient who was infected with both Omicron and Delta variants, and the new variant is listed under the category of ‘currently under monitoring and investigation’ on their official website.

Even as investigation and research are underway regarding the newly reported hybrid or super variant, it is not yet clear how infectious or severe the Deltacron variant is or what its potential impact might be.

It is believed that the new variant evolved in a patient who simultaneously caught both the Omicron and Delta variants. Deltacron cases in the UK are believed to be below, and in the coming days, more information is expected to emerge regarding the drug.

Leondios Kostrikis, a virologist from Cyprus, announced earlier in January that his research group at the University of Cyprus had identified several SARS-CoV-2 genomes which included elements of both the Delta and Omicron variants.

Must Read: Scientist: Deltacron, the New Variant of Covid-19, is an error? Read here

In response to the report by the virologist, researchers from many countries declared there was no hybrid or super-variant. A new variant, they noted, was not the result of recombination or genetic sharing between Delta and Omicron variants, but perhaps a result of laboratory contamination.

On Saturday, however, authorities in the United Kingdom announced that they are officially investigating a hybrid variant of Delta and Omicron.

Since a large segment of the population has acquired immunity to the Omicron variant, public health officials in Hyderabad point out that chances of new variants causing a full-blown surge are low.

On the other hand, they also noted that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is also mutating at a very rapid rate. It may take some time for at least one new variant to gain a foothold in the community due to its unique mutations in the coming months. There is a clear need to be vigilant and focus on genome sequencing,” health officials here said.