Dr Petros Karayiannis, Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Virology, spoke on the “Mesimeri kai kati” programme about the new variant of the coronavirus.
He noted that this particular variant first appeared in Germany in June.
“Currently, it accounts for about 28% of cases in the United States,” he added.
He explained that this specific strain differs from previous ones as it is a subvariant of Omicron. Finally, he highlighted that it is a recombinant virus, “meaning two other variants of the coronavirus exchanged genetic material, resulting in this strain,” and reassured that “it is not a pathogenic virus.”