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COVID-19: Scientists identify new variant ‘Deltacron’, say it’s nothing to worry about

*Researchers explain the new-fangled variant of the Coronavirus pandemic has a similar genetic background to the Delta variant, as well as some of the mutations from Omicron

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

A new Coronavirus variant combining both Delta and Omicron, known as ‘Deltacron’, has emerged in Cyprus, as it has a similar genetic background to the Delta variant, as well as some of the mutations from Omicron.

ConsumerConnect gathered experts, however, opined that it is not something to be worried about at the moment.

In total, 10 of the mutations from Omicron were found in the 25 samples taken in Cyprus. 11 of the samples came from people who were hospitalised due to the virus, while 14 came from the general population, reported Jerusalem Post citing Cyprus Mail.

In his comment on the development, Dr. Leondios Kostrikis, Head of the laboratory of biotechnology and molecular virology at the University of Cyprus, said that the frequency of the mutation among hospitalised patients was higher and could point to a correlation between the new variant and hospitalisations.

Kostrikis also emphasised that the variant has a similar genetic background to the Delta variant, as well as some of the mutations from Omicron.

Meanwhile, China has seen its first Omicron cases in the community, igniting a mass testing blitz in the northern city of Tianjin as the country strives to maintain its zero-tolerance approach to Covid in the face of more transmissible variants, report said.

The two cases in the port city were confirmed as being omicron by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, after its local branch completed the genome sequencing, CCTV reported.

The infections were from the same transmission chain but officials have yet to establish if the strain is the same as imported omicron cases reported earlier in Tianjin..

It was learnt that Tianjin first reported the two cases late Saturday, and neither of the people, one of whom is a child, have travelled outside of the city in the past 14 days.

The government announced that it will start mass testing from 7 a.m. Sunday, in order to “effectively prevent the further spread of the omicron variant,” state news agency Xinhua report stated.

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