Russian virologist names unusual ability of omicron strain

The omicron coronavirus strain is able to combine with other variants while being in the patient's body, Russian professor of virology Alexander Chepurnov said, Report informs citing RIA Novosti.

The specialist noted that about a month ago, delta was the most widespread strain of coronavirus in the world, but then omicron began to replace it.

But while it does this, of course, there will be cases of simultaneous infection with two variants by the same person, Chepurnov added.

He added that the omicron could "snatch" a whole fragment of another virus, most likely the cold virus.

Chepurnov explained that earlier strains were formed with the change of the amino acid, but not the genome. The scientist added that the insertion from another virus in the omicron may indicate the ability of this strain to exchange genetic material with other variants of the coronavirus.

"If he managed to chop off another virus, then why should he not exchange pieces of genetic material with his next of kin? Very easy from a biological point of view. There are no locks against it," he summed up.