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coronavirus variants

In the foreground is a 3D print created in 2020 of a spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus. In the background is a 3D print of a SARS-CoV-2 virus particle. The spike protein enables the virus to enter and infect human cells. The spike proteins appear in red on the virus model. (AFP/ National Institutes of Health)
August 18, 2023, 2:48 pm
New ‘very different’ COVID-19 variant detected in Israel, Denmark and US
Health organizations worldwide monitoring Omicron variant with over 30 protein spike mutations; expert says it is too early to know its impact
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Illustrative image: a woman receives an antibody infusion while lying on a bed in a trauma room at the Upper Tanana Health Center Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Tok, Alaska. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
September 7, 2022, 2:57 pm
Two antibodies identified in Israel can fight all known COVID strains, study finds
Infusible to patients, antibodies are so powerful neutralizing the coronavirus they could eliminate the need for more vaccine boosters, peer-reviewed research says
By Nathan Jeffay
Illustrative: Travelers sit for COVID testing at Ben Gurion Airport on March 8, 2021, upon their arrival from New York. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)
July 17, 2022, 10:01 pm
Three cases of new Omicron subvariant detected in Israel, says Health Ministry
Cases confirmed in Israelis returning from abroad; scientists say the BA.2.75 COVID variant may be able to spread rapidly and get around immunity from vaccines and past infection
By ToI Staff and Agencies
A Magen David Adom health worker take a swab sample from at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing complex in Jerusalem, on March 22, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
May 13, 2022, 2:04 pm
Israel’s COVID transmission rate rises above 1 for first time in two months
But Health Ministry figures show serious cases continue to decline — to barely 100 — and officials are said to not be overly concerned
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: A small green sea turtle makes his way through the sand towards the sea after hatching from a nest, at Palmachim Beach on August 17, 2020. (Mila Aviv/Flash90)
May 11, 2022, 2:09 pm
Daily Briefing May 11: Israel’s biodiversity is in decline. So are COVID cases
Environment reporter Sue Surkes brings a startling comptroller report; health reporter Nathan Jeffay explains global urgency of vaccine booster and talks of ‘prejudice psychology’
By ToI Staff
A medical technician tests a traveler for COVID-19 at Ben Gurion Airport, on June 30, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
April 26, 2022, 2:37 pm
Health Ministry says new COVID variant not raising alarms yet
Knesset committee told officials will meet in coming weeks to discuss lifting further restrictions, including quarantine for positive cases
By ToI Staff
A technician collects swab samples for COVID-19 at Ben Gurion International Airport on March 2, 2022. (Yossi Aloni/ Flash90)
April 25, 2022, 10:43 pm
Health Ministry: 3 cases of new Omicron subvariant detected among arrivals in Israel
Passengers from South Africa, Singapore and Italy found to be infected with BA.4; Health Minister Horowitz says no reason to worry at this time
By ToI Staff
This undated, colorized electron microscope image made available by the US National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, indicated in yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, indicated in blue/pink, cultured in the lab. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)
April 22, 2022, 2:38 am
Study shows immunocompromised UK patient had COVID-19 for 505 days straight
Researchers say longest reported infection underscores importance of protecting vulnerable people from coronavirus, with virus found to mutate during persistent infections
By laura ungar
People read from Megillat Esther (the Story of Esther) during the Jewish holiday of Purim, at the Great Synagogue in Tel Aviv, on March 16, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
March 16, 2022, 10:28 pm
Israel to keep indoor mask mandate as it warily watches COVID resurgence elsewhere
Government decides to maintain cautious approach as Passover approaches, while not announcing any new restrictions after Bennett, Horowitz huddle with health experts
By ToI Staff
People who fled the war in Ukraine rest inside an indoor sports stadium being used as a refugee center, in the village of Medyka, a border crossing between Poland and Ukraine, on March 15, 2022.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
March 16, 2022, 1:41 pm
Daily Briefing Mar. 16: Special report from Lviv; ‘toxic’ oligarchs; polio in Israel
Carrie Keller-Lynn on the ground in Ukraine; Ricky Ben-David on what’s at stake with Israel’s oligarchs; Nathan Jeffay on a new coronavirus variant and cigarettes for kids on Purim
By ToI Staff
Illustrative image: A technician collects a nasal swab sample for COVID-19 at the coronavirus lab, at the Ben-Gurion International Airport on March 02, 2022. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
March 16, 2022, 11:54 am
Previously unknown COVID variant detected in Israel, Health Ministry says
Variant, which combines Omicron’s dominant subvariant BA.1 with newer BA.2, diagnosed at Ben Gurion Airport in 2 returning passengers, but is believed to have originated in Israel
By Tobias Siegal
A woman writes a tribute message in a love heart of the National COVID Memorial Wall, in London, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP/Matt Dunham)
March 7, 2022, 11:16 am
Over 2 years into COVID pandemic, official death toll passes 6 million
Experts put real number of coronavirus fatalities between 14 and 23.5 million; only 6.95% of people in low-income countries fully vaccinated, compared to 73% in high-income nations
By David Rising
The coronavirus ward of Ziv Medical Center in Safed, February 15, 2022. (David Cohen/Flash90)
February 19, 2022, 6:11 am
Epidemiologist estimates nearly half of Israeli population caught Omicron
Around 4.5 million Israelis have been infected during the variant-fueled wave, expert Eran Segal says, as the pandemic recedes in Israel and abroad
By ToI Staff and AFP
Health care staff receive a 4th dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, at the Sheba Medical Center, on January 5, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
February 6, 2022, 12:41 am
A different COVID-19 vaccine debate: Do we need new ones?
‘We need collectively to be rethinking what is the goal of vaccination,’ doctor says, as shots prove effective at saving lives but not in preventing spread of new variants
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, head of public health services at the Health Ministry, speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem about new coronavirus restrictions, December 12, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 2, 2022, 5:38 pm
Nearly 300 BA.2 cases found in Israel; health official denies Omicron reinfections
Sharon Alroy-Preis contradicts reports that claim people who recovered from original variant have been diagnosed with new subvariant
By ToI Staff
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