Cyprus detects new ‘Deltacron’ Covid variant

Scientists in Cyprus have detected a new variant of coronavirus dubbed as ‘Deltacron’- combining both the Delta and Omicron variants, coupled with 10 mutations from Omicron. The variant has already affected 25 people in Cyprus. According to Dr Leondios Kostrikis, the head of the laboratory of biotechnology and molecular virology at the University of Cyprus, As per reports, 25 cases have been detected so far. Out of 25, 11 patients were hospitalised while the remaining were from the general public. 

The new variant from the lineage named B.1.640.2 is believed to have infected 12 people in the country, according to the yet-to-be peer-reviewed study supported by the French government. Studies have shown that the co-existence of Delta and Omicron increases the chances of a new variant as a result of them trading genes.