Deltacron: New COVID-19 ‘variant’ that combines Delta and Omicron identified in Cyprus

A new COVID-19 variant that combines Delta and Omicron has been identified in Cyprus.

The new variant dubbed as ‘Deltacron’ was detected in patients hospitalised for Coronavirus.

According to reports quoting Leondios Kostrikis, a professor with the University of Cyprus who heads the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Virology, around 25 cases have been identified with omicron and delta co-infection.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Professor Leondios Kostrikis, head of Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Virology, University of Cyprus revealed that his team discovered 25 instances of the virus.

He added that it is too early to say whether more such cases or the impact of the existing cases are left behind. 11 out of the 25 cases were reported from hospitalised patients, while the other 14 were reportedly identified in the general public, Cyprus Mail reported.

As being reported, the samples of the new strain have currently been sent to GISAID, a German-based international database that tracks COVID-19-related developments.

However, it remains unclear yet whether the new combined variant is more contagious or more likely to prevail over its predecessors.