Israel has already administered three vaccine shots, including booster doses, to more than four million citizens of its 9.2 million population.
Israel has registered a new Covid-19 variant after RT-PCR testing at Ben Gurion airport, according to media reports. The new variant combines the BA.1 and BA.2 sub-strains of the Omicron variant. Hybrid variants of Covid-19 are not uncommon and were previously found in the case of the Deltacron strain, which combined the Delta and Omicron variants. A combination occurs when two viruses infecting the same cell multiply and exchange genetic material to create a new virus.
The new variety is still unknown, the country’s health ministry said, allaying fears about the new species. Salman Zarka, head of the country’s Covid-19 response, downplayed fears about the new strain that could lead to another spurt in severe cases. The phenomenon of combined species is well known, according to reports.
Israel has already administered three vaccine shots, including booster doses, to more than four million citizens of its 9.2 million population. The country has registered nearly 1.4 million cases of infections, including 8,244 deaths. In December 2020, Israel was one of the first countries to launch a national vaccination campaign. Earlier this month, it announced fourth vaccine shots for health professionals and people over 60 amid an increase in cases caused by the Omicron variant.
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Several countries, including China, Singapore and South Korea, have witnessed a spurt of infections in recent weeks. While the outbreak in China appeared to weaken this week, new infections in South Korea reached a record 621,328 daily.
On Wednesday, India’s health minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, convened a high-level meeting to monitor the country’s preparedness and vigilance as several Asian countries reported a new wave. While the Omicron and Delta variants dominated the Asian wave, the BA.2 sub-strain has raised fears of a resurgence of pandemic risks in Asia and Europe. The sub-tribe has quickly spread in Austria and Germany, with German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach warning that the outbreak was showing signs that caused “many deaths”.
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On Wednesday, India started the Covid-19 vaccination campaign for children aged 12-14. According to the Union Ministry of Health, 2.16 lakh doses of E’s Corbevax biological vaccine were administered on the first day.
This post Israel registers new Covid-19 strain, authorities say no cause for concern: Reports
was original published at “https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/israel-records-new-covid-19-strain-authorities-say-no-cause-for-concern-reports/2463690/”
