Omicron, delta have fused into new 'deltacron' strain, Cyprus professor finds
Leondios Kostrikis, a professor at the University of Cyprus, calls the new strain 'deltacron'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A new strain of the coronavirus appears to be a genetic fusion of currently known omicron and delta variants, a researcher claims.
The so-called "deltacron" strain pairs omicron genetic signatures with delta variant genomes, says Leondios Kostrikis, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus, according to CNBC.
While 25 cases of the uniquely recognizable strain have been found, Kostrikis predicted it will not last against the globally dominant omicron variant.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}OMICRON CASES SURGE: MORE THAN 4,000 CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED NATIONWIDE, REPORT SAYS
"We will see in the future if this strain is more pathological or more contagious or if it will prevail," he told Cyprus' Sigma TV on Friday, according to the report.
A man wearing a face mask to protect from coronavirus, walks past customers of a coffee shop in central Nicosia, Cyprus, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. (Associated Press)
The delta variant, which once usurped the alpha coronavirus strain as the most prevalent, now accounts for just under 5% of new cases in the United States.
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Omicron, however, is responsible for the other 95.4% of new cases, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It took only about a month for delta to be dethroned by the omicron variant, which continues to surge across the U.S.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A man wearing a face mask walks down on the steps at Elephteria, Liberty, square in central Nicosia, Cyprus, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. (Associated Press)
New York and Florida have both recorded their highest-ever single-day totals for new COVID-19 cases in recent days and the U.S. reported 1,082,549 new cases on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Cyprus tightened its own coronavirus-related restrictions Wednesday amid surging infections.