Officially, “Deltacron”, a COVID-19 variant has been identified. There have been confirmed cases in France as well as the USA.

Concerns were raised earlier in the year about the combination of mutations from Omicron and Delta. This was after investigations by a laboratory in Cyprus.

Now, L’Institut Pasteur in Paris has sequenced the genome for a “Deltacron” genuine variant.

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Multiple cases have been confirmed in France, and the virus appears to have circulated since January.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), in a briefing, stated that the strain was also found in Denmark and the Netherlands.

Two confirmed cases have been reported in the US, along with several other suspected infections.

Last month, the UK Health Security Agency(UKHSA), revealed that one case of Delta x Omicron was discovered in a patient who had both variants.

What’s ‘Deltacron?

Scientists believe the variant’s “backbone”, which attaches to human cells, is derived form Delta. However, its spike (the part of the virus that attaches to human cells) is derived from Omicron.

When two viruses are present at once, a person is called a combined virus. Their cells then reproduce together.

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Maria van Kerkhove is the COVID technical leader for WHO. She said that this mutation was “tolerable, especially in light of the intense circulation Omicron & Delta”.

She said that her team was “tracking down and discussing” the variant.

What is ‘Deltacron” in the UK?

One case of Delta x Omicron was discovered by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). It occurred in a patient who had both variants.

According to reports, it’s only a matter time before more cases are confirmed.

Are we to be concerned?

Omicron had more serious side effects, but the Delta strain was more dangerous. This could raise concerns about a combination of both.

Scientists stress that there is a substantial immune system in humans against both variants, and there is no reason for vaccines to be feared.

Helix is a California-based lab that sequences COVID-19 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr William Lee, chief scientist officer at Helix, stated to USA Today that “the fact that there’s not that much, and that even the cases we saw were not different, suggests it’s not going to rise to a variant level of concern.”

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Dr Van Kerkhove also added that “Deltacron”, has been detected in certain areas, “there are very high levels of this detection”.

She confirmed that they have not experienced any change in severity and that further studies will be conducted to determine its effects.