'Deltacron' Covid variant merging Omicron and Delta now being monitored by health chiefs
混合了Omicron與Delta的新武肺變種「Deltacron」
目前被英國衛生當局監控中
鏡報
By Sam Truelove News reporter
12:34, 12 Feb 2022
UPDATED 12:36, 12 Feb 2022
英國衛生安全局已在一名英國病患身上確認到新種「Deltacron」病毒。它是Omicron與Delta病毒的混合。
一種Omicron與Delta的混合新武漢肺炎變種已被英國衛生當局正式監控。這個被標示為Deltacron的新變種已在一名英國病患身上被識別到，並且被列在英國衛生安全局每週的「監控中變種」列表。
此新變種據信是在一名同時染上Omicron與Delta變種病毒的病患身上進化出來的。
雖然據聞科學家們相信在此階段病例數不多，Deltacron的確實病例數仍是個未知數。目前也不清楚此新變種病毒的傳染力與毒性。而英國衛生安全局說它只是被列在每週變種病毒簡表而已。「因為我們理當監控一切狀況」。
東英吉利大學的傳染病專家保羅杭特博士告訴每日郵報此新變種「應不會展現出太多威脅」，因為英國已有很高的接種率，並且對原始的Delta變種與Omicron變種已有高水準的抵抗力。
他說「所以此時我不會過度擔心。如果Delta與Omicron一同陷進來，依照自然規律，他們應該掙扎著離開」這則消息是來自於每週病例數，顯示英國的武漢肺炎情勢正持續好轉，在報告中病例數、死亡數與住院數全都比上週還低。
最新統計顯示該國在過去24小時內紀錄了另外58899個武漢肺炎病例，而死亡數上升了193例。
而衛生部門在上週五午後釋出的最新統計顯示本週的確診數較過去七天下降了29%。病例數較元旦期間的高峰已大幅減少。1/4的紀錄是245182例
然而染上武漢肺炎發症與重症死亡之間的延遲意味著死亡率會在接下來幾週攀高。
包里斯強森本週告訴國會他預期會在本月結束所有限制措施，包含在檢測出陽性後的自我隔離。這比原本的時程還要早數週。
武肺相關的限制措施將在3/24到期，但強森首相告訴國會若數據持續樂觀，他預期他們可以提早一個月結束限制。
這意味著在限制措施實施將近兩年之後，只要再過兩週，英格蘭將第一次得以回到疫情前人們曾享有的自由水準。
但英國衛生安全局已警告撤銷所有限制措施將對脆弱族群造成「不成比例的衝擊」
在週四此組織的會議中，成員們警告「在檢測陽性者的自我隔離要求中增加不確定性也將會不成比例地衝擊人口中脆弱的區段。」
他們亦加強關注取消民眾免費檢測權力的結果，並且持續且明確地向大眾發出訊息告知目前仍存在的風險。
The new Deltacron variant, which is a hybrid of the Omicron and Delta strains, has been recognised by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) after it was identified in a UK patient
A new Covid variant that is a hybrid of the Omicron and Delta strains is officially being monitored by health chiefs.
The new variant - labelled Deltacron - has been identified in a UK patient and was named by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in its weekly "variants in monitoring" list.
The new variant is believed to have evolved in a patient who caught both the Omicron and Delta variants at the same time.
The exact number of Deltacron cases is unknown, although scientists at this stage reportedly believe case numbers are 'low'.
It's also unclear how infectious or severe the newly evolved virus is, although the UK Health Security Agency said it was only listed on the weekly variant breakdown because "we monitor everything as a matter of course".
Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline that the new variant 'shouldn't pose too much of a threat' because of the UK's high vaccine uptake and strong levels of immunity against the original Delta and Omicron strains.
"So at the moment I'm not overly worried at the moment. If both Delta and Omicron are falling then, in theory, this variant should struggle to take off," he said.
The news comes after weekly case numbers showed Britain's coronavirus situation is continuing to improve, with cases, deaths and hospitalisations all down compared to last week.
Latest figures show the country recorded another 58,899 coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, while the death toll has risen by 193.
The latest official figures, released by the Department for Health on Friday afternoon, show a 29% decrease on confirmed infections for this week compared to the previous seven days.
Case numbers have substantially dropped since peaking around New Year’s - with 245,182 recorded on January 4.
However, the lag between catching Covid and falling ill, and then falling seriously ill and dying, means death rates were initially spiking in the weeks after.
Boris Johnson told MPs this week that he expects to end all restrictions, including the requirement to self-isolate following a positive test, this month – weeks earlier than scheduled.
Covid restrictions had been due to expire on March 24, but Mr Johnson told MPs he expects they can end a month sooner if the data continues to be encouraging.
It means in just over two weeks England could be returned to levels of freedom enjoyed before the pandemic, for the first time since restrictions were brought in almost two years ago.
But the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) have warned lifting all restrictions will have a “disproportionate impact” on vulnerable people.
In minutes from the group’s meeting on Thursday, members warned: “Increased ambiguity about a requirement to self-isolate upon testing positive will also disproportionately impact vulnerable sections of the population.”
They also raised concerns about the consequences of removing access to free testing and called for “clear and consistent” messaging to the public about the ongoing risks.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/deltacron-covid-variant-merging-omicron-26212049
https://tinyurl.com/2p9hzkz5