The novel hamster-adapted SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant may be selectively advantaged in humans

We have previously reported on the importance of the structural dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 variants for risk assessment [1]. The same applies in the case of the hamster-adapted Delta variant recently described in Hong Kong [2,3]. On January 18, 2022, the Hong Kong sanitary authorities ordered the culling of hamsters, closed pet-shops and sent pet-shop visitors into quarantine after hamsters sold at a local store were found infected with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 [2,3]. This variant initially infected an employee and a customer and further human-to-human transmission was evidenced [2,3].