Findings defended
However, Dr. Kostrikis defended his findings. He asserted that since Deltacron infection rates were higher in hospitalized patients than in nonhospitalized individuals, the contamination hypothesis was less likely.

In addition, the samples identified as Deltacron were processed in multiple sequencing procedures in more than one country, lessening the likelihood of lab errors, he noted.

The Cyprus team has since reported another 52 cases of Deltacron to the Cyprus Mail. The Cyprus health minister also defended the findings, saying that the groundbreaking research made him “proud of our scientists.”