JANGAN PANIC : OMICRON Variant Shows Mild Symptoms, Covid Vaccines Provide Protection . Please Get Vaccinated!

 This is taken from the Jerusalem Post. The Israeli doctors are at the forefront and cutting edge of fighting the Corona Virus. Here is some news about how they are handling the new Omicron variant of the Covid 19 virus which first appeared in South Africa.

So far, Israel has registered four cases infected with the new variant, while general morbidity remains low.

By ROSSELLA TERCATIN, MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN 

Published: NOVEMBER 30, 2021 

There are indications that individuals fully vaccinated against corona within six months or with the booster are also protected against the Omicron variant, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said on Tuesday

“In the coming days we will have more accurate information about the efficacy of the vaccine against Omicron, but there is already room for optimism, and there are initial indications that those who are vaccinated with a vaccine still valid or with a booster will also be protected from this variant,” Horowitz said 

“The vaccine is really crucial right now,” said Horowitz. “Anyone who is exposed to the variant without a vaccine will put themselves at unnecessary risk.”

Omicron variant 'not a cause for panic' 

the Pfizer vaccine is just slightly less effective in preventing infection with Omicron than with Delta – 90% as opposed to 95% – while it is as effective – around 93% – in preventing serious symptoms at least for those vaccinated with a booster.

According to the report, the ability of the variant to infect is higher than Delta but not as much as feared – around 1.3 times higher.

those not inoculated have a 2.4 times greater chance of developing serious symptoms, a significant figure.

Head of Public Health Services Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis said the first data about the efficacy of the corona vaccines against Omicron were expected to be shared with Israel by South Africa on Tuesday. 

“The greatest concern for us is the very rapid spread of this variant in South Africa,” 

daily cases (in South Africa) rose from 200 cases to 2,000 cases in 10 days.

“From what we hear, those vaccinated do not have significant symptoms, it is a mild disease, but for now this is preliminary information,” she noted. 

Two doctors were verified as infected with the Omicron variant. 

they were experiencing “very light symptoms.”

Both doctors fully vaccinated with three shots of the Pfizer corona vaccine.

Horowitz said again that the situation in Israel is under control and there is no need to panic.

“We will not close the country and will maintain life as normal as possible,” he noted. 

“There is currently no intention to impose restrictions on life within Israel, and we will do everything possible to ensure that this continues.”

Horowitz also emphasized that the ban on foreign tourists is only temporary

The views expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.