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COVID-19 Omicron variant

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on January 3, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 11, 2023, 1:20 pm
Daily Briefing Jan. 11: Will Netanyahu need to brush up on foreign diplomacy skills?
Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman discusses the premier and international critics; health writer Nathan Jeffay looks at COVID boosters, a soft drink backlash, and immunotherapy
By ToI Staff
File - a health worker prepares a vaccine dose at a vaccination center in Jerusalem on January 4, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 10, 2023, 9:21 am
Israeli study: Omicron-fighting boosters cut hospitalization in over-65s by 81%
Largest investigation of the new COVID shots suggests they also sharply reduce deaths, calling them ‘an effective and essential tool’; research is not yet peer-reviewed
By Nathan Jeffay
File: A nurse administers a COVID-19 test outside the Salt Lake County Health Department, Tuesday, December 20, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
January 3, 2023, 11:14 pm
‘A hell of a variant’: Ultra fast-spreading strain could shake Israel’s COVID calm
XBB.1.5 strain is dominant in the US after cases doubled in just a week, and could quickly start circulating in Israel; on plus side, variant-bolstered vaccines expected to help
By Nathan Jeffay
Patients on stretchers are seen at Tongren hospital in Shanghai on January 3, 2023 (Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
January 3, 2023, 10:00 am
China’s COVID wave raises concerns of underreported cases, potential new strains
Beijing has reported just 15 virus deaths as it faces huge surge since unwinding restrictions; other nations cite worries over new variants as they screen Chinese arrivals
By Laurie CHEN
A healthcare worker prepares a COVID vaccine dose at the Sheba Medical Center on January 5, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
December 20, 2022, 4:46 pm
Power of 4th vaccine doses is in keeping COVID mild, Israeli study finds
When it comes to avoiding ‘substantial’ disease, boost was 71% effective for Pfizer, 89% for Moderna, but 4th shots give only small edge over 3-dose regimen in preventing infection
By Nathan Jeffay
Magen David Adom emergency service staff with a patient from the coronavirus ward of Shaare Zedek hospital in Jerusalem on February 9, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
December 9, 2022, 2:29 am
Coronavirus czar calls for return to masking in public as infections climb
Salman Zarka urges Israelis to take precautions during Hannukah, get updated vaccine; Health Ministry warns flu, RSV viruses spreading
By ToI Staff
Illustrative image: an Israeli COVID test facility. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
November 6, 2022, 2:06 pm
Cases still low but new COVID strains spreading, with ominous echoes of past winters
The past 2 winters brought major COVID peaks, and now, as the mercury falls, new Omicron-descended variants are on the rise and already account for 17% of Israel’s recorded cases
By Nathan Jeffay
Booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are displayed during a vaccine clinic in Townshend, Vt., on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP)
November 4, 2022, 1:22 pm
Pfizer says study shows updated COVID shots gives major protection boost
Shot tweaked to target Omicron strain gives those 55 and older a four-fold boost over those who got regular shot and 13 times more antibodies than those with no booster
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
A resident of Jackson, Mississippi, receives a Pfizer booster shot from a nurse at a vaccination site February 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
October 12, 2022, 9:52 pm
US approves updated COVID boosters for kids as young as 5
Combo shots modified to better protect against Omicron strains while still targeting earlier versions of the virus
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
A man receives the fifth Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine from medical staff at Clalit Health services in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
September 22, 2022, 10:53 pm
Israel begins rollout of COVID vaccines tailored to Omicron
Health authorities recommend those 65 and up receive vaccine along with other at-risk groups
By AP
Illustrative image: a man receives his fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, at a Clallit vaccine center in Jerusalem on January 3, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
September 20, 2022, 11:24 am
Clinics to begin rollout of variant-tailored COVID shots this week
Elderly and at-risk to be given priority; unclear whether vaccines will immediately be available to all, with lethargic response expected from public
By Nathan Jeffay
An illustration showing the evolution of the main coronavirus variants that infected Israel. (CIPhotos via iStock by Getty Images)
September 19, 2022, 2:27 pm
Daily Briefing Sept. 19: Tailor-made COVID vaccines; Haredi TV stars on ‘Bnot Brak’
Health reporter Nathan Jeffay updates us on new promising research for Parkinson’s and receding gums; news editor Amy Spiro on a reality TV series featuring ultra-Orthodox women
By ToI Staff
Illustrative image: A health worker prepares a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
September 6, 2022, 1:41 pm
New Omicron-busting shots score a point in race against variants – expert
Vaccines will increase protection even though Omicron has already changed since they were developed, says Bar-Ilan epidemiologist
By Nathan Jeffay
People, some with face masks, shop for groceries at the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem on July 7, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
September 3, 2022, 4:20 pm
Serious COVID cases fall under 100 for first time since June
Number of active infections briefly drops below 10,000 before rising slightly again; transmission rate remains below 1, signaling pandemic is not expanding
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: A woman wears a face mask, to prevent against the spread of coronavirus, at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels, May 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
September 2, 2022, 7:39 pm
EU says new COVID strains may soon emerge, but vaccines should remain effective
27-nation bloc preparing to roll out booster campaign ahead of feared wave of new cases come winter
By AFP
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