In Cyprus, a biology professor at the University of Cyprus has announced the discovery of a strain of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 with omicron-like genetic signatures within the delta genomes, US media report.
CNBC and Bloomberg report that the biology professor Leondios Kostrikis entitled the strain «deltacron», because of its omicron-like genetic signatures within the delta genomes.
Thus far, the researcher and his team have confirmed 25 cases of the apparently new virus strain. Kostrikis commented that it was too early to say, if there are more cases of the strain or what impacts it could have in the Mediterranean EU country.
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«We will see in the future if this strain is more pathological or more contagious or if it will prevail» over the two dominant strains of the coronavirus, delta and omicron, Kostrikis noted in an interview with Sigma TV on Friday, January 9, CNBC and Bloomberg report.
The spread of the omicron strain has recently led to new restrictions on gathering and indoor services throughout the EU in the third year of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.