On January 7, Dr Leonidos Kostrikis, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus, reported a score of native cases of Deltacron infection. Some of them were receiving hospital care.
Deltacron is a combo of the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19. It is heavy on the side of Delta, however. This new variant -- if it is a new variant -- could have come from genetic recombination or coinfection of Delta and Omicron. Where coronaviruses are concerned, it is entirely possible that the genome-replicating enzyme "slips away," only to come back and rejoin the original RNA strain. To put it simply, COVID is so prone to mutation because it is so loosely organized. In other words, COVID speeds up its evolution in a manner quite beyond imagination. That said, imagination is always part and parcel of good science.
As expected, skeptics couldn't wait to point out that Dr. Kostrikis's findings were likely a result of contamination. True, genetic sequencing of COVID is susceptible to "lab errors." Skepticism is therefore a "healthy" thing that should be greeted with open arms in the world of science. Let further research tell us whether or not Deltacron is the real McCoy.
