To detect new and changing SARS-CoV-2 variants, we investigated candidate Delta-Omicron recombinant genomes from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national genomic surveillance. Laboratory and bioinformatic investigations identified and validated 9 genetically related SARS-CoV-2 viruses with a hybrid Delta-Omicron spike protein.
Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Delta; Omicron; SARS-CoV-2; United States; bioinformatics; coronavirus disease; next-generation sequencing; recombination; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.