Risk of new COVID-19 outbreaks caused by Delta or other variants

According to research by Israeli scientists, the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has replaced the previous variant, but Omicron has not eliminated the previous Delta disease, and another outbreak may occur.

A subline of Omicron variants could self-destruct in the next few months, but a delta variant or another variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus could explode, an Israeli modelling study suggests. This summer is another wave of COVID-19.

According to research conducted by Ben Gurion University (BGU) in Israel and published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has replaced earlier variants, but Omicron has failed to eliminate the dangerous Delta variant. . Appearing in front of it, it can explode again.

To reach these conclusions, the researchers developed a series of sensors that can distinguish changes in wastewater to determine where the SARS-CoV-2 virus is active.

[Evolving risk of COVID-19 reinfection due to Omicron variants]

The researchers monitored wastewater in the Israeli city of Beersheba between December 2021 and January 2022 and noticed “disturbing interactions” between the Omicron and Delta variants.

Additionally, the researchers built a model predicting that Omicron would self-destruct, while Delta would only “hide in due time.”

Professor Ariel Kushmaro from BGU said that although many factors were involved, the modelling suggested that a delta outbreak or another variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus could occur this summer.

So far, whenever a new dominant variant emerges, its “predecessor” variant has been overwhelmed for a short period of time, the researchers said. .However, for the Delta and Omicron variants, wastewater test results showed that Delta was still active when Omicron was increased.

According to a model developed by the BGU researchers, Omicron can degenerate to complete annihilation, while Delta inexplicably persists. This could lead to new outbreaks caused by Delta or a worrying new generation variant.

Therefore, the researchers believe that wastewater-based epidemiological campaigns are a convenient tool for epidemic prevention.