Corona Outbreak - The Latest News
Prof. Galia Rahav, Director of the Infectious Diseases Unit, and Prof. Gili Regev-Yohai, Director of the Infection Prevention and Control Unit, answered questions about the new wave of corona.
The Spread of Corona – a Snapshot
Are we in the fourth wave of Corona?
Yes, it appears that we are at the beginning of a fourth wave. The numbers are going up, and will continue to go up. At some point, I estimate that we will start to see also an increase in the number of patients, but I think this wave will be very different from previous waves. It might be like a significant flu.
What is the reason for the recent outbreak of the corona?
The pandemic is still raging globally. If we were an island, we would continue to be in the quiet state that we had after the vaccinations. But people travel abroad and spread the disease like wildfire. For example, one person came from Emirates (UAE) and 180 people became infected. The current Delta strain, is more contagious than the previous strain and so it started a new wave of corona.
Recently, mainly teenagers have been infected. More than 50% of cases are teenagers. The reason for this is simple: this population has not yet been vaccinated. Although infected children do not become seriously ill, and, in many cases, are asymptomatic, it is still recommended that they get vaccinated.
Five Reasons Why it is Important to Vaccinate Youth
What is the Indian variant and is the vaccine effective against it?
The Indian variety, Delta, is no more dangerous than the regular variety but is more contagious, and even 50% more contagious than the British variety that "starred" in the third corona wave. The reason for this is the variety of mutations that cause the virus to attach better to cells. The efficacy of the vaccine against the Delta strain remains high, as in the alpha (i.e. original) strain, in preventing serious illness and hospitalizations, at 93%-94%. In terms of the risk of contracting a regular illness, it is said there is 65% reduced effectiveness.
If vaccinated people are also infected, what is the benefit of the vaccine?
First, the vaccine protects against a serious illness, over 90%, which is the most important. Were it not for the vaccine, thousands of people would now be hospitalized. The number of vaccinated in the population is greater than the number of unvaccinated, so the rate of vaccinated patients among those infected appears greater than it actually is. The relevant data is how many of those vaccinated in Israel contracted corona compared to those non-vaccinated. Since there are more vaccinated people, and their relative proportion of the total infected is smaller, the conclusion is that the vaccine is definitely effective.
What should be done to prevent the spread of the disease?
- Vaccinations - The most important thing now is to get vaccinated. There are many that are not yet vaccinated, and this is the most effective step.
- Ben Gurion Airport - Every occurrence of an ill person landing in Israel causes a dispersal of 100 patients in his surroundings. An additional corona examination must be performed 5 days after the return of travelers from abroad.
- Masks - People are less careful today, and enforcing the wearing of masks in enclosed spaces is required.
- Adolescent gatherings - It is recommended to prevent gatherings of teenagers, given the fact that they now make up more than 50% of those infected.
Give up traveling abroad?
It should be remembered that the pandemic is still raging all over the globe. So, if it is not necessary, travel is not recommended. Certainly not for people who are older or immunocompromised.
What about a third dose of vaccine?
The third vaccination is coming. The question is when and for whom. It could be that they start vaccinating special populations, for example, the immune-suppressed or those over 60 years of age. It appears that the third dose will be effective because we see people who were ill and have been vaccinated that their antibodies increase.
