Cyprus identifies “Deltacron,” variant combining Delta and Omicron

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Cyprus, a European country on the Mediterranean Sea, announced this weekend that it has identified a new variant of the coronavirus. The mutation has been named “Deltacron” because it combines elements previously identified in the Delta and Omicron strains. At least 25 cases have been reported in recent days.

University of Cyprus researcher Leondios Kostrikis, responsible for reporting the new mutation, said it is still too early to say whether the variant is more transmissible or deadly than strains currently circulating worldwide.

In the coming days, scientists will monitor if more cases of the new strain emerge, which has features just like other dominant strains in the pandemic. Data from Oxford University’s Our World in Data website indicate that 95% of the samples currently analyzed in the laboratory are Omicron and 4% are Delta.

The new variant was reported in GISAID on January 7, the international database that tracks mutations in the virus.

This is not the only mutation to draw the attention of scientists in recent days. Last week, France described a new strain originating in the Congo and is monitoring cases of the new variant.

Vaccinations are not effective against Omicron, which is very contagious, but the course of the disease is mild to very mild. It remains to be seen what the situation will be with Deltacron.

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