What to Know About Deltacron, the Potential New COVID Variant Combination of Delta and Omicron

Jen Juneau
·2 min read
6
Covid-19 new variant mutation
Covid-19 new variant mutation

Getty COVID-19 new variant mutation

Another new COVID-19 variant has been detected.

The World Health Organization has confirmed that the new variant, dubbed Deltacron — a combination of Delta and Omicron — has been detected in the France, Denmark and the Netherlands.

"The hybrid genome harbors signature mutations of the two lineages," said IHU Méditerranée Infection's Philippe Colson in a study published Tuesday.

While evidence of the new variant has been observed, cases are few. According to Reuters, researchers have identified 17 confirmed instances in both Europe and the United States.

The IHU study also noted that more cases would need to emerge for researchers to be able to effectively detect the severity of the variant.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

PCR test swab into a tube
PCR test swab into a tube

Getty PCR test swab

RELATED: Even Mild Cases of COVID Can Cause Brain Damage and Shrinkage, Study Finds

In a Wednesday media briefing, WHO COVID-19 technical lead Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said of Deltacron, "We have not seen any change in the epidemiology with this recombinant. We haven't seen any change in severity. But there are many studies that are underway."

She also confirmed the detection of the Deltacron variant, but noted that "there are very low levels of this detection."

On a grander scale, however, Kerkhove said, "Unfortunately this virus will take opportunities to continue to spread."

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus similarly stressed during the briefing, "The virus continues to evolve. And we continue to face major obstacles in distributing vaccines, tests and treatments everywhere they're needed."

RELATED VIDEO: Doctor Says Fully Vaccinated People Are Going to Test Positive with Omicron: "Our New Normal"

Meanwhile, researchers at Helix, a lab headquartered in San Mateo, California, found more than 20 positive COVID-19 cases containing material from both Delta and Omicron in samples tested from Nov. 22, 2021, to Feb. 13, 2022, USA Today reported Thursday.

However, "The fact that there is not that much of it, that even the two cases we saw were different, suggests that it's probably not going to elevate to a variant of concern level," Helix Chief Science Office William Lee told the outlet, of the two cases they found that specifically contained a combination of genetic material from Delta and Omicron.

As for whether people "need to be concerned," Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health epidemiologist William Hanage told USA Today no, since Deltacron is "not causing lots of cases."

"It's only a variant if it produces a large number of cases," Hanage said.

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from the CDC, WHO and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, click here.