A possible new COVID-19 variant, a combination of the delta and omicron variants – dubbed “deltacron” – has been discovered. According to the World Health Organization, the new COVID-19 combination has been detected in France, the Netherlands, and Denmark, and has also been discovered in the United States.
Deltacron in US, Europe
According to researchers, the new strain, dubbed “Deltacron,” was discovered in at least 17 patients in the United States and Europe. Because research has been limited thus far, it is too early to tell if infections from the stream will be highly infectious or potentially cause disease.
The team led by Philippe Colson of IHU Mediterranee in France identified four patients infected with a SARS-CoV-2 variant that combines the spike protein from an Omicron variant with the “body” of a Delta variant. Another two separate Deltacron infections have been classified in the United States, according to an unreleased report submitted to medRxiv by genetics research company Helix, GB News posted.
Other teams have reported an additional 12 Deltacron infections in Europe since January on virus research bulletin boards, all with an Omicron spike and a Delta body.
Low levels detection
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO COVID-19 technical lead, stated that they had seen no change in the epidemiology with Deltacron. They haven’t noticed any improvement in the severity. However, numerous studies are currently underway. She also confirmed the detection of the Deltacron variant but noted that the detection levels are deficient.
However, Kerkhove stated that this virus would take advantage of any opportunity to spread on a larger scale. During the briefing, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the virus evolves. As a result, people continue to face significant challenges in getting vaccines, tests, and treatments to where they are needed, according to US Today.
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