Research institutes in the world warn: The new version of the virus is much more contagious • The good news: antibodies of its recoverers - much stronger

The second wave of the corona in Israel seems wider than the first wave, and not by chance: It turns out that a "upgraded" mutation of the virus called G614 is rapidly replacing the previous version worldwide. It is a virus that has an infectivity of 3x 9 times more than the previous version, so its rate of spread around the world is also accelerated and can explain the intensity of the second wave. 

Ministry of Health

Reports of the new version of the virus are being approved by a series of laboratory studies and tests, such as the La Jolla Immunology Research Institute and the Los Angeles National American Research Laboratory. Information about the upgraded virus was also published in the journal Cell. 

The new mutation binds to human cells better, and therefore also multiplies more rapidly in the upper respiratory tract: the sinuses, nasal cavities and larynx. The mutation that is spreading rapidly across the US, Europe and probably also in Israel - is capable of infecting at a much higher rate than the first version.

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In terms of the toxicity of the new version, it was found to be as toxic as the previous mutation, that is, the virus did not become more dangerous to humans because of the change made to it. Another positive line is also associated with antibodies that the body develops against this mutation. It turns out that antibodies taken from humans who recovered from this mutation were a bit better for the virus in patients than antibodies that were filtered and taken to treat people with the previous version of the corona. 

This is a bit of a reassurance siren, as it indicates the possibility that the virus will weaken later, with mutations that will infect more humans - but will be less toxic. However, scientists warn that a reverse process may also occur, in which a very genetically contagious mutation will also be much more toxic. 

Either way, the new mutation "loves" the upper respiratory system, reinforcing the need to wear masks and social remoteness so as not to become infected.