Paphos Life

Coronavirus: New variant discovered in Cyprus

We are proud of our scientists, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas said on Saturday after
the discovery of a new variant by Cypriot scientists was announced.

Dr Leontios Kostrikis, who leads the team of scientists working at the University of Cyprus’
biotechnology and molecular virology lab, said a new coronavirus variant has been identified
in the community.

Speaking to local media, Kostrikis explained that the new variant, which has been dubbed Deltacron,
shares the genetic background of the Delta variant along with .... [Read More]

Cheers

Steve

Coronavirus: Cyprus’ Deltacron could just be contamination, Imperial College virologist says

Cheers

Steve

The links don't work ?

It does for me, it goes to the Cyprus Mail

Yes,I've read this in today's Cyprus Mail. A UK virologist is sceptical of this claim. They think that it may be due to contamination of the sample. More samples and rigerous tests are recommended.

Dee

A Cypriot scientist defended his assertion that a new strain of Covid-19 exists that
combines characteristics of the delta and omicron variants:

Cypriot Scientist Says Deltacron Covid Variant Isn’t Error

Cheers

Steve

I have great respect for Cypriot Doctors and Scientists, some are world leaders in their field of expertise.

I suspect that Tanny's remark was said tongue in cheek! I thought that it was quite funny!
Incidentally, I visited the Mall this morning.I noticed that the area where the testing was in progress was packed with people again today. Probably, not the healthiest place to do it. Social distancing was poor. But at least it was undercover, on a very rainy morning.

Dee

From what I have seen the standards do vary considerably from place to place and much of this is determined by the number of people requiring a rapid antigen test at any given time. Having said that there are a few exceptional places that are very well organised eg Tasos Pharmacy in Chloraka.

More free test sites are required at different locations - sometimes in the Paphos District there are only two - and they are in Paphos itself.

As for this weekend, when it was well publicised that so many extra people would be requiring a test that was valid for today (Monday), there definitely should have been more testing sites in all Districts.

HIC - the swabs are not taken from the top of the nostrils for a RAT - it barely goes inside, a quick twizzle and out again!
Sometimes one nostril and other times both. So a huge range of latitude in techniques for the same test.

In relation to the term "contamination" - it was clarified later by Dr Tom Peacock - the Imperial College virologist
from the post above:

"this is not really related to 'quality of the lab' or anything similar - this literally happens to every
sequencing lab occasionally! This is particularly true with high ct value swabs (ie low levels of virus)
and using older primer sets."

Dr Leontios Kostrikis states that the above was not what happened in this instance.

Will have to wait and see the results of the further tests and the press conference.

Cheers

Steve

More experts are saying that Deltacron is a lab contamination error and not a real variant.