The World Health Organization this evening (Friday) addressed the discovery of the new corona virus strain, which it calls omicron, in South African countries and expressed concern about the revelations about it.
In a statement issued by the international organization, the organization noted that the strain reveals a greater number of mutations and even shows signs that it is capable of leading to re-infection with the disease - and hence also infecting vaccinated.
The organization further noted that since the discovery of the new strain, cases of infection have been rising rapidly in all provinces of South Africa, the country where the spread of the strain is most dominant.
However, the organization noted that thanks to the progress of the test capability - locating the new strain is easier than before.
Following the spread of the new strain and the discovery of a number of patients in Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz held a special consultation with senior Ministry of Health officials and declared most sub-Saharan African countries red states.
In addition, the Corona Cabinet is expected to convene tomorrow and discuss further steps.
The EU has also announced a restriction on flights from African countries.
Bennett: "On the verge of a state of emergency"
In his opening remarks, Bennett said: "We are currently on the verge of an emergency. I ask everyone to be fully prepared and harnessed for work around the clock."
Bennett stressed during the hearing that "a few weeks ago, when we did the 'Omega' national exercise for a new lethal variant scenario, it would have seemed a bit detached. Needless to say, this is one of the most significant moves that has prepared us for the situation we are now in. In the evening, we returned to the insights from the exercise and began to apply quickly. "
Prime Minister Bennett at the press conference, Photo: GPO
The Prime Minister referred to the contagious nature of the new variant and noted that "the new variant is highly contagious, at a much faster rate than the Delta. We are currently feeding on the South African health system, which is doing a very impressive job, but we do not yet have the full information. Very fast - we will know if the variant really breaks out in immunity, at what rate, whether it is more lethal or not, how it affects children, etc.
Bennett explained that he was updated on the presence of the variant carrier during the night, and said the situation was disturbing.
"Our overriding principle at the moment is to act quickly, strongly and now. Especially when it comes to entering and leaving Israel, until the situation becomes clear. When it becomes clear, we will decide what we do."
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