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ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 366

COVID-19 Omicron variant

Illustrative: A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is displayed on a counter at a pharmacy in Portland, Oregon, December 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
September 22, 2023, 11:48 am
Health Ministry announces new Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are on way to Israel
Latest booster shots target newer Omicron sub-variants and will be available first for people with pre-existing medical conditions and compromised immune systems
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Illustrative: An Israeli family celebrates together on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on September 25, 2022, in Rananna. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
September 14, 2023, 10:36 pm
Health Ministry advises some to don masks again as Jews gather for Rosh Hashanah
Those with underlying illnesses, compromised immune systems urged to take precaution; authorities promise COVID booster shots soon, urge getting flu shot which is already available
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Prof. Eilat Shinar (left), head of MDA Blood Services speaks to an Israeli donating blood. (Courtesy of Magen David Adom)
September 12, 2023, 12:08 pm
With COVID cases on the rise, Magen David Adom asks public to donate plasma
Donors must meet certain criteria, including COVID illness and recovery within the last several months, so that antibodies will be relevant for newer variants of the virus
By Renee Ghert-Zand
A child receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Jerusalem on December 30, 2021 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
September 8, 2023, 12:00 pm
As COVID variant Pirola gathers pace, Health Ministry mum on plans to fend off threat
With cases mounting in Israel and abroad, some are raising alarms and making moves to combat the fresh coronavirus threat, amid concerns over a new vaccine aimed at other mutations
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Israeli security forces secure the scene of a shooting attack in Huwara, in the West Bank, August 19, 2023. (Flash90)
August 20, 2023, 2:19 pm
Daily Briefing Aug. 20: Another deadly terror attack in Huwara and new COVID
Military reporter Emanuel Fabian on why IDF reservists who quit were suspended; health reporter Renee Ghert-Zand on lung cancer treatments, how men and women stress differently
By ToI Staff
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: Vaccination in Rehovot, January 10, 2022 (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
July 6, 2023, 5:59 pm
Sheba Pandemic Research Institute and partners developing pan-coronavirus vaccine
Researchers apply AI to unique database of healthcare workers’ blood samples to determine best antigen to protect against multiple pathogens and variants
By Renee Ghert-Zand
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
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