Recombinant Virus of Omicron and Delta Reported from Delhi, Maharashtra and other states

According to a Telangana Today article, evidence of Omicron, Delta recombinant virus has been discovered in India. According to India’s COVID Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) and GSAID, 568 cases are being investigated.
According to a Telangana Today article, 25 such cases have been registered in Telangana, but Karnataka remains a hotspot with 221, followed by 90 in Tamil Nadu, 66 in Maharashtra, 33 in Gujarat, 32 in West Bengal, and 20 in New Delhi.

It further stated that the presence of genetic markers from both Delta and Omicron variants in 568 Covid sequences indicates the presence of recombinant virus, which implies it comprises genetic material from both variants or has genes from both types.

Is the new strain a cause for concern?

Experts discovered the first strong evidence of a Delta + Omicron recombinant coronavirus, a hybrid type of the coronavirus that combines genes from the Delta and Omicron variants, earlier this month. The study’s principal scientist, Philippe Colson of IHU Mediterranee Infection in Marseille, France, said, “During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, two or more types spread at the same time and in the same geographical locations… This allowed for recombination between these two types.”

Cases have been discovered throughout Europe and America. Because there have been so few verified instances, researchers believe it is too early to tell whether Deltacron infections will be highly transmissible or cause serious sickness.

WHO on Omicron Delta recombinant virus:

According to World Health Organization authorities, this is to be expected with Omicron and Delta recombinant, especially given the extensive circulation of omicron and delta.
“At the moment, no changes in its severity or transmissibility have been reported, although various research on the subject are underway.” “At this stage, testing and sequencing are crucial,” said WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove.

Meanwhile, WHO Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan stated on Twitter, “We have known that recombinant events can occur, in people or animals, with many circulating SARSCoV2 variants.” Experiments are required to identify the characteristics of this virus. As we cope with this epidemic, the need of sequencing, analytics, and quick data exchange cannot be overstated.”