Title: Concerns Rise as COVID-19 Cases Surge and New Variant Emerges in Israel
Subtitle: Health officials warn of a potential new wave and the impact of a highly mutated variant
With the end of summer vacation and the return to school and work, COVID-19 has once again taken the center stage. Health officials are sounding the alarm as the Omicron variant, driven by the Pirola variant with over 30 spike protein mutations, potentially threatens to evade existing immunity from previous infections and vaccinations. Countries worldwide are reporting an increase in cases, leading to concerns about overwhelmed healthcare systems during the upcoming winter respiratory virus season.
In Israel, where the Jewish New Year is approaching and festive gatherings are planned, the potential emergence of a new wave has raised anxieties. The World Health Organization recorded a 38% increase in new COVID-19 cases globally in August, indicating a concerning upward trend.
While Israel’s Health Ministry has not yet announced any new restrictions, it has observed a 13% rise in the number of positive cases in recent weeks. As of September 3, there were 1,081 active cases and 245 hospitalizations. While most cases were “imported” by Israelis traveling abroad during the summer break, the local transmission rate remains unclear due to the lack of mandatory reporting and testing.
To gather more comprehensive data, the Health Ministry instructed public hospitals to conduct PCR testing on all patients hospitalized in internal medicine departments during the next three weeks. However, hospital heads argue that the testing should be done in the community, where most people with respiratory symptoms are located.
Amidst the uncertainty, questions arise about the necessity of mask-wearing, social distancing, and home COVID testing. The medical community emphasizes individual responsibility in avoiding infection, becoming symptomatic, and preventing the spread to vulnerable populations.
To combat the evolving virus and new variants, the Health Ministry plans to roll out designated vaccinations come winter. Additionally, the Sheba Pandemic Research Institute, in collaboration with international partners, aims to develop a pan-coronavirus booster vaccine that would protect against a variety of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
However, the continuous mutation of viruses suggests an ongoing arms race between the virus and the vaccine. It remains uncertain how often a pan-coronavirus shot would need to be administered, but experts anticipate multiple vaccinations over time.
As the situation unfolds, health officials and researchers emphasize the importance of staying informed and following guidelines to mitigate the potential impact of a new COVID-19 wave and highly mutated variants.