New variants of corona virus are emerging every day, due to which the apprehensions about this epidemic are deepening. After recovering from the Delta variant that badly affected India in the second wave, the Omicron variant is currently under threat. But now in the midst of all this, another new variant has come to the fore. A new variant of the corona virus, Deltacron, has emerged in Cyprus, which is said to be a mixed strain of the Delta variant and the Omicron variant.
This variant, created from the fusion of Delta and Omicron, has been named ‘Deltakron’. However, experts say that there is no need to worry about this. The report states that the genetic background of deltaCron is similar to that of the delta variant, as well as some mutations like Omicron. That’s why it is named ‘Deltakron’.
25 cases found in Cyprus
So far 25 cases of Deltachron have been reported in the European country of Cyprus. Out of 25 DeltaCron samples taken in Cyprus, 10 cases of Omicron were found. According to media reports, 11 of the samples were of people who were hospitalized due to the virus, while 14 came from the general population. Let us inform that Omicron has been described as the fastest spreading corona variant till date, while the Delta variant wreaked havoc in many countries last year.
What is ‘Deltakrone’?
Dr. Leondios Kostrikis, head of the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Virology at the University of Cyprus, said the frequency of mutations was high among hospitalized patients. This points to an association between the new variant and hospitalization. Kostrikis also emphasized that this variant has the same genetic background as the delta variant, as well as some mutations from the oomicron.
Cypriot Health Minister Mikhlis Hadjipandelas said the new variant is not a cause for concern at the moment. The minister also expressed pride over the discovery of the new variant. Hajipandelas said that the phenomenal research and findings of Dr. Kostrikis’ team make us proud of our scientists.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the minister also said that this research places Cyprus on an international level in health matters. As of now, the scientific name of the new variant has not been announced. Let us tell you that the Deltachron variant has come at a time when the Omicron variant has emerged as the main reason for the increase in fresh cases of COVID-19 across the world.