Israeli health officials are concerned about new, more contagious coronavirus strains found in England and are considering testing people returning to Israel from the European Kingdom.
“Discussions are taking place this afternoon and this evening as well. We are considering manipulation and necessary action, ”a health ministry official told the Yonet News site on Saturday night on condition of anonymity.
A suggestion raised at health ministry meetings recently ordered a genetic sequence for Israelis returning from the UK and several other European states, the report said.
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A public broadcaster in Cannes reported that ministers would also consider those forced to stay in government-run hotels for their different periods instead of allowing domestic seclusion from the UK, as well as the possibility of closing all international arrivals to Ben Gurion Airport.
Dr. Ramat Gan, Director, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sheba Medical Center “The real question is whether the vaccine covers this strain,” Gila Rahawan told the UNET news site. I imagine that even if it becomes a problem, because mRNA [technology exists], We will also be able to develop a vaccine for this. ”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waits to receive the coronavirus vaccine on December 19, 2020 at Ramat Gan’s Sheba Medical Center. (Amir Cohen / Pool / AFP)
She spoke hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein received the first vaccines in the country, as Israel began its inoculation drive.
Rahave also criticized the government for failing to test the Israeli people entering the country with the virus.
“We need serious supervision of returnees from abroad. We should start genome sequencing tests to see if the change has spread to returnees and additional countries from Britain. ‘
In a Channel 12 report, Director General of the Ministry of Health Chasey Levy on Friday signed an order requiring passengers from all countries to return to compulsory exposure, effective December 26. However, it was mostly a target of the thousands of Israelis who fled to Dubai in recent weeks.
Technician collects nasal swab samples for COVID-19 at the Coronavirus Lab, at Ben-Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv on December 14, 2020 (Yossi Aloni / Flash 90)
‘70% more transmissible ‘
British Prime Minister Boris Jones on Saturday announced a “stay at home” order to ease new coronavirus strains for London and south-east England.
Preliminary data suggest the new strain could be “70 percent more transmissible,” Jones said in a television briefing.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson attends a virtual press conference inside 10 Downing Street in central London on December 19, 2020. (Toolbay Melville / Pal / AFP)
Patrick Wallens, the British government’s chief scientific adviser, said the new strain could be felt in other countries as well.
“The virus has taken off, it is spreading rapidly, and it inevitably leads to a significant increase in hospital admissions,” Valence said.
Valans said the new coronavirus strain includes “23 different mutations,” including different types associated with how the virus binds to cells and enters cells.
By the week starting December 9, the new strain had accounted for 60 per cent of cases in London, he said.
“We think it could be in other countries as well.”
England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty said earlier on Saturday that the UK had informed the World Health Organization of its findings about the new coronavirus strain.
Are we in touch with the UK ???????? Officers on the new # COVID-19 Virus variant. They will continue to share their analysis and ongoing study results and information. We will update member states and the public as we learn more about the characteristics and effects of this virus variant.
– World Health Organization (WHO) (એ WHO) December 19, 2020
Downing Street said it had also informed leaders in other parts of the UK.
There is no evidence that the new strain causes more serious illness or mortality mortality, Johnson said.
“Similarly, any evidence suggesting a vaccine would be less effective against a new variant,” he said.
Separately, a serious form of coronavirus has been discovered in South Africa, which could explain the rapid spread of another wave affecting young people, the South African health minister said on Friday. Known as the 501.V2 variant, it was identified by South African researchers and details have been sent to the World Health Organization, Zvelini Mekhiz said in a statement.
