Delta + Omicron recombinant virus vs. BA.2 ‘Stealth’ Omicron: The difference and which is the more concerning COVID variant

The SARs-COV-2 virus has mutated time and again, leading to new emerging variants that have wreaked havoc in and around the world. As is known, viruses are programmed to mutate and there is no way to stop them from doing so unless we curb its spread fully.

Currently, the two most talked about variants of COVID-19 are the Delta and Omicron recombinant virus, dubbed as Deltacron, and the BA.2 subvariant, also known as the "Stealth" Omicron. While the two variants emerged at a time when COVID cases worldwide were plummeting, it has now become one of the many reasons driving the current surge.

However, it is important to note that the two are not the same. Some social media posts have ignited some confusion about whether the BA.2 subvariant of COVID-19 and “Deltacron” are the same. Let us delve into the differences between the two variants that are currently making the headlines.

Also read: Coronavirus infection: Experts link zinc deficiency to COVID attack; know the symptoms of zinc deficiency

Initially, experts and epidemiologists claimed that instances of viral recombination were extremely rare since there was no clinical evidence to prove the prevalence of such mutations.

Soon after, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged the existence of Delta + Omicron recombinant strain (Deltacron), which was detected by the Pasteur Institute in France.

A non-peer reviewed study published on research site MedRxiv, partly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recently sequenced and looked at 29,719 positive coronavirus samples collected between Nov. 22 to Feb. 13. Out of the total cases, the researchers found two cases of a delta-omicron recombinant virus.

Also read: Coronavirus: BTS Suga confesses he lied about having no COVID-19 symptoms; explains why he did it

Philippe Colson of IHU Mediterranee Infection in Marseille, France, the lead author of the study said, “During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, two or more variants have co-circulated during same periods of time and in the same geographical areas. ... This created opportunities for recombination between these two variants."

Maria Van Kerkhove, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and WHO's Technical Lead on COVID-19, in a press conference said that the recombinant virus was something that is expected "given the large amount of circulation, the intense amount of circulation that we saw with both omicron and delta."

Unlike the Deltacron recombinant strain, which is a hybrid variant formed from the genetic material of both Delta and Omicron, BA.2 subvariant is a sub-lineage of COVID's Omicron variant, with possibly more mutations than its parent strain.

Reportedly, the 'Stealth' Omicron represents almost 86% of all sequenced COVID-19 cases, as per the WHO. It is therefore said to be more infectious and transmissible than the original strain. Experts believe it has the potential to escape vaccine-induced immunity, which is why according to UK Health Security Agency data, a booster shot can provide better and more robust protection against the new strain, cutting down the risk of hospitalization and death.

As of now, the Omicron variant has BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and B.1.1.529 sub variants, of which the BA.1 was recently the most dominant, and the BA.2 Stealth subvariant is said to be driving the current surge in many parts of Asia and Europe.

So far there have been no unusual symptoms reported in association with either the "Deltacron" or the BA.2 subvariant. Most likely, infected people will develop common coronavirus symptoms such as a fever, cough, headache, fatigue and loss of smell or taste. In severe cases, patients may have a shortness of breath, breathing difficulties and chest pain.

When it comes to BA.2 subvariant, one may experience cold-like mild symptoms including a sore throat, a runny nose, sneezing, body pain and so on.

Experts have said it is too early to worry about the Delta, Omicron recombinant virus, informally called the "Deltacron". WHO's Maria Van Kerkhove took to Twitter and said that in places where the Deltacron has been detected, the numbers have been very low and that there have not been "any change in the epidemiology." "We haven't seen any change in the severity. But there are many studies that are underway," she adds.

However, the global health agency recently said that the highly contagious Omicron subvariant, BA.2, is behind the current surge in Europe, while stating that it is now the most dominant version of Omicron around the world.

"These increases are occurring despite reductions in testing in some countries, which means the cases we're seeing are just the tip of the iceberg," WHO's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press interaction.

Maria Kerkhove had earlier said, ""Omicron is transmitting at a very intense level... We have sub-lineages of BA.1 and BA.2. BA.2 is more transmissible and this is the most transmissible variant we have seen of the SARS-COV2 virus to date."

Other than new emerging variants, another reason behind rising COVID-19 cases is lax in taking COVID precautions. That said, experts continue to warn people against contagious variants, while urging the masses to wear their masks, maintain physical distance and follow proper hand hygiene.

Getting your vaccinations is the most important step currently and those eligible for vaccine boosters must get it immediately.