Confirmed cases of Omicron variant in Israel rise to 21

Confirmed cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant rise to 21, with 10 more cases identified in the past day, reports the Health Ministry.

According to the latest data, 16 of the cases were among those who returned from abroad, while five were in those who have not left the country recently, but came in contact with those who did. The cases were identified in those who returned from South Africa, the UK, the US and the United Arab Emirates.

Out of the 21 cases, 13 of them were fully protected, says the Health Ministry, which includes in that definition anyone either with a booster dose or those who have recovered or received two doses within the past six months.

The Health Ministry says that it is waiting for the final test results of 21 other suspected cases of the Omicron variant.