Experts warn of COVID-22, new coronavirus variant claimed to be deadlier than Delta

Experts are warning that a 'Super Variant' of the SARS CoV-2 may emerge in 2022 and unvaccinated people could be the potential super spreaders. Here is why it may be a cause of concern.

File photo

New Delhi: As India prepares for the third wave of the novel coronavirus, experts are warning of a 'Super Variant' of the SARS CoV-2 which may emerge in 2022 dubbed as COVID-22 and claimed that unvaccinated people could be potential super spreaders.

An immunologist in Zurich, Professor Sai Reddy said that the current strain mix could result in a new and more dangerous epidemic, as per a report by The Sun. Reddy pointed out that COVID-22 was "inevitable" as the coronavirus is very likely to combine to make a deadlier strain especially with Delta, Beta, and Gamma variants. 

"COVID-19 could be worse than what we are seeing now," he cautioned. As a result, more than one vaccination will be needed in the furtute as the fight against coronavirus continues. He warned that vaccination and booster shots will be needed 'maybe for the rest of our lives.'

He cautioned that the world cannot solely rely on vaccination. "COVID-22 could get worse than what we are witnessing now... We have to be prepared for more than one vaccination in the next few years, which is constantly adapting to new variants," he was quoted as saying by The Sun.

He insisted that the world has to be prepared as the COVID-22 variant has potential to be a big risk. "If such a variant appears, we have to recognize it as early as possible and the vaccine manufacturers have to adapt the vaccine quickly. The emergence of this new variant is a big risk," Reddy claimed.

Speaking to German newspaper Blick, Dr Reddy said Delta was the most contagious coronavirus strain calling it ‘COVID-21’. “It is the next phase of the pandemic when Beta or Gamma become more infectious or Delta develops escape mutations. That will be the big problem for the coming year,” he said.

It is a natural process for the virus to evolve into various other variants in the future. However, with several strains already making their presence felt it presents a grim picture.