The global population has been under constant threat of infection from COVID-19 since its emergence in early 2020. As the global healthcare community worked day and night to combat the spread of this viral infection, new and more severe variants of this virus have evolved. This constant state of change has made it challenging to stay up-to-date on the latest safety guidelines and recommendations necessary to stay safe and protected from contracting Covid-19. So just when we thought we had it all figured out… what is Deltacron?!
Roughly two years after the emergence of the original strain of COVID-19, communities around the world are loosening restrictions and rediscovering what “normalcy” means in our daily lives. While the severity of the global COVID-19 situation has drastically lessened as a result of mass vaccination efforts, naturally achieved immunity and a deeper understanding of the virus and how to effectively treat its symptoms, it is important to remember that COVID-19 still exists and is continuing to evolve. World, meet Deltacron, the latest variant currently making its rounds.
So What Is Deltacron And How Is It Different?
The genome of this new variant is similar to the Delta variant; however, it contains a special protein spike at the end of its sequence, making it similar to the Omicron variant. Therefore, this newly found virus was named Deltacron, coined after the two. The Delta variant of the coronavirus family seemed to be more fatal than any of its precursors as it had the potential to severely impair the function of the lungs. In contrast, the Omicron variant showed a great degree of transmission but did not exhibit as lethal a potency. Deltacron, on the other hand, has shown to be quite a tamed version of the two. It has not yet been shown to be equally as fatal as the Delta variant and not as transmissible as the Omicron variant. However, due to the limited number of people being infected by this new recombinant variant, it is hard to infer whether this virus is an actual threat to the individuals being infected by it [1].
What Are The Symptoms Of Deltacron?
The symptoms seen in the people infected by the Deltacron variant are similar to the symptoms that the other coronavirus family had. These include:
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Loss of smell
- Muscle Pain
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
Therefore, this variant does not seem to have any symptoms other than a common cold and hence can be prevented if the person has a strong immunity [2].
Is Deltacron More Lethal or Transmissible?
With limited data on this new variant, it is not conclusive to classify this variant as a lethal virus. However, with the symptoms being documented and the rate of spread, experts seem to claim this virus is just another variant and not equally as harmful or lethal as its precursors. It is yet to be determined how well vaccines can prevent individuals against this new variant. However, microbiologists and experts claim that this variant should not be a cause of serious concern. [3].
Where Has It Been Found?
The Deltacron variant was first found in France; from there, it has now spread to a few more countries. These include the US, UK, Denmark, and also in the Netherlands among others. [4].
Conclusion:
News of a new COVID-19 variant has emerged, making people anxious about its rate of severity and infection. This also makes them question whether they can normally go about their daily lives or should they keep taking precautions. Scientists and researchers seem to think of this virus as not a big threat as the number of people being infected by the Deltacron variant seems to be quite a few. This makes the data very limited to draw any conclusions about the severity of the spread of this virus. Following the established guidance and recommendations for dealing with COVID-19 in our day-to-day lives will continue to be our best option for maintaining our health and safety. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms and would like to be tested for COVID-19, contact us today to make an appointment at our clinic located here in Spring, Texas or drop in for convenient walk-in service. We look forward to assisting you with your health concerns!
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Spring, TX 77388
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LOCATION UPDATE! We are still located in the same building however we have recently moved our clinic to the rear parking lot entrance. If you have any trouble finding us please call our office at (281) 801-4286.
References:
- Deltacron: Is there a new variant at large, and should we worry? Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/deltacron-new-variant-or-laboratory-error#Call-for-more-evidence
- Scribner, H. (2022, March 21). These are the Deltacron COVID-19 symptoms to watch for right now. Deseret News. Retrieved from: https://www.deseret.com/coronavirus/2022/3/20/22984738/new-deltacron-covid-19-symptoms-to-watch
- Guardian News and Media. (2022, March 11). What is the Deltacron variant of Covid and where has it been found? The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/11/what-is-deltacron-covid-variant-uk
Everything you need to know about Deltacron and other COVID-19 variants of concern. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Retrieved from: https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/everything-you-need-know-about-deltacron-and-other-covid-19-variants-concern