Increasing number of Israelis re-infected with South African covid variant

This week, the Ministry of Health recorded an additional 14 confirmed cases of South African variants in Israel, bringing the total number of such infections to 44, with 124 confirmed contacts and 36 infection chains. Health officials believe the numbers are quite high.

In late January, the first Israeli, a 57-year-old man from Central Israel, South African coronavirus strain After returning from a trip to Turkey.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health is making efforts to “investigate the extent of outbreaks” in the “triangular” region of northern Israel, which consists of Arab towns and villages whose vaccination deployment is lagging behind other regions. “. Above all, distrust of the central government.

Mutations have reached at least 32 countries and have caused panic around the world as countries continue to struggle to advance vaccination campaigns.

Israel has vaccinated more than 3.9 million citizens, which is more than 40 percent of the total population of about 9 million. About 2.5 million people are receiving the second dose.

Last month, US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and German biotechnology company BioNTech announced the results of lab tests. This has not yet been peer-reviewed, but shows that the co-vaccine is effective against the N501Y mutation found in both. British And South African variants.

In a statement, the two companies said the preliminary findings “did not indicate the need for a new vaccine to combat the new mutant strain,” but if a new strain is needed, they will “respond” with a shot update. I am prepared”.

Another vaccine, co-developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, a UK and Swedish pharmaceutical company, had minimal effect in preventing mild to moderate covid-19 caused by the first identified variant in South Africa. It was proved.

Sharon Alroy-Preis, head of public health services for the Israeli Ministry of Health, said there are still many unclear points about the link between vaccine immunity and emerging markets. Coronavirus Although a subspecies, South African strains are considered to be more contagious.

“There is still no evidence that either mutant is completely resistant to the vaccine, but there is probably some preliminary evidence that the vaccine is somewhat less effective against the South African mutant,” she said. I told the citizens. Last month’s broadcast station.

Coronavirus variants are not enough for vaccination campaigns to stop the wave of more serious infections in the long run, and in the short run, national plans to lift coronavirus restrictions on public life It has spurred global concerns that it could further delay the virus.

January 25, Israel Closed only international airport“To prevent the invasion of viral mutations and expedite vaccination campaigns,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that the closure could be extended beyond the February 20 deadline.

But as millions of Israelites continue to be vaccinated and the number of new cases diminishes, the government will also allow vaccinated people to enter public spaces such as stadiums and concert halls as soon as possible. We plan to launch the “Green Certificate” program next week. Or a performance venue. On Saturday, we also plan to increase the allocation of immigrants to Ben Gurion Airport to 2,000 per day.

At the same time, the government is considering a fifth national blockade prior to the February 25 carnival-like Jewish holiday Prim. This was considered a superspreading event in particular last year. Ultra-Orthodox Israeli.

“We don’t want people to stop celebrating their holidays and ruining all their enjoyment, but there’s still great concern,” said Nachman Ash, the emperor of the coronavirus in Israel.