Summer may bring resurgence of Delta variant, Ben Gurion U research indicates

The Delta variant of the coronavirus may well see a resurgence this summer after scientists had begun to believe that the 2021 strain had been wiped out by Omicron, according to a new study published by researchers at Ben Gurion University.

The BGU researchers monitored Beersheba’s sewage water from December 2021 to January 2022 and found that while the Omicron variant may subside in the coming months, it has not completely eliminated Delta; and the latter strain appears poised to reemerge.

The wastewater samples indicated that even as testing numbers continue to fall, traces of COVID-19 are still active in notable quantities.

The model used by the researchers “predicts that Omicron is burning itself out while Delta is just biding its time,” according to a press statement from BGU.