Virologist Chepurnov allowed the emergence of a supercoronavirus from omicron and delta strain
Photo: Lisi Niesner / Reuters
Many mutations are already present in the omicron strain of the coronavirus, but it can change further, for example, taking some dangerous properties from the delta or other variants, said virologist Alexander Chepurnov. In a conversation with Lenta.ru, he admitted the appearance of a super-coronavirus in this way. Now the omicron is especially dangerous, presumably due to the insertion of a cold virus.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that the omicron strain of the coronavirus and the delta variant could trigger a new wave of disease in the world. He announced this during a briefing.
Endless mutations
Chepurnov drew attention to the fact that many different mutations were already mixed in the omicron strain. And one of his peculiarities is that he managed to get an insert of a certain cold virus.
“The genome enters the cell, the virus breaks down, exposing the nucleic acid, and new viral particles are built. Presumably, in the case of the omicron, this process went in parallel with some other virus, thanks to which the covid grabbed some additional piece. All this led to the fact that the virus began to infect people more actively, the incubation period is already only three days, the disease is spreading rapidly. Americans expect an increase in the incidence in the first decade after the New Year, we will probably have it in the second or third decade, “Chepurnov calculated.
He noted that omicron infects both vaccinated and recovered.
Unambiguously, recombinations with other strains are also possible. But it's hard to say where this will lead.
Alexander Chepurnovvirusologist
“In general, by the way, this could have been avoided: a virus appeared in Japan, which completely extinguished the coronavirus. And, if I had such an opportunity, I would go there and bring this virus to us. Firstly, it is an excellent contender for a live vaccine, and secondly, if it has the ability to suppress coronavirus, then it would be nice to spread it inside the country, ”the virologist suggested.
Earlier it was reported that an international team of scientists has identified antibodies that neutralize the omicron variant and other strains of the coronavirus. These antibodies target those regions of the S-protein that remain practically unchanged during the evolution of the virus.
