Israel was preparing for the coming of Omicron. He reacted quickly and decisively

The Omikron variant, discovered just a dozen days ago, will appear in dozens of countries around the world. Several cases have been detected in Israel. How did this country, known for its quick and radical decisions, react?

1. Omikron is a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In a matter of days, he got almost the whole world back on his feet
2. He also reached Israel. Interestingly, two weeks earlier this country considered three possible scenarios of events related to the emergence of a new, more dangerous variant
3. One option under consideration is a “zero COVID” approach and hard lockdown
4. We are researching the effectiveness of vaccines against Omikron, but for the time being an Israeli coronavirus expert says that mandatory vaccinations are necessary
5. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

Israel: We have three scenarios

Israel has once again proved to be a pioneer in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first to massively vaccinate citizens (and was the first to suffer the consequences of vaccine-induced immunity to weaken over time) and the first country to introduce supplemental vaccinations.

It seems that the Omikron variant was also – theoretically – prepared for the new threat. In mid-November, before the news of the new mutation became known, a simulation was conducted in Israel of what could happen when a particularly dangerous strain of SARS-CoV-2 emerged. This potential variant was dubbed Omega, and in simulation it became a nightmare for the Israeli healthcare system and the government. It was immune to vaccines, especially dangerous to children, broke the country’s strategy for dealing with COVID-19, and placed a dramatic strain on hospitals.

1. How to control the Omicron?

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, chief coronavirus advisor to Prof. Salman Zarka, key officials of the Ministry of Health, as well as representatives of the National Security Council and the army command.

In this “war game”, as reported by the Israeli media, three scenarios of events were developed and the conclusions could already be put into practice when panic over the emergence of a viable new variant prevailed in the world.

In the first scenario, the variant is discovered quite quickly and the country recognizes the threat and potential damage relatively early. The second scenario spoke of an advanced outbreak of the new variant, with many severe cases and an increasing number of children hospitalized. In the third scenario, there are already serious complications, the health care system is on the brink of collapse, incl. because hospitals have had to deal with multiple cases of both COVID-19 and the flu.

Omikron in Israel: How the Authorities React

The main purpose of these exercises was to develop the ability to quickly identify a threat, i.e. a new variant, determine how dangerous it is and move to an emergency situation.. Many dilemmas caused by the new wave were also answered, related to, inter alia, with the economic costs of lockdown, its level, segregation of patients in hospitals or the complete closure of borders.

1. Prof. Horban: We don’t have a large number of deaths. How is it really?

The decisions made by the Israeli authorities last weekend resemble those of the simulation carried out earlier, so far – luckily – in the most optimistic scenario. It called for immediate steps to be taken to eliminate the epidemic – use all possible means of surveillance and monitoring, reduce air traffic and act swiftly to detect the risks posed by Omikron.

If it turns out that the new variant may be immune to the vaccines currently in use, the government will abandon its mass vaccination strategy and move to the ‘zero COVID’ option – complete lockdown, flight halt and other possible measures to quickly and radically quell the new wave.

Israel and Omikron: compulsory vaccinations?

Israel’s chief COVID-19 expert, Prof. Salman Zarka said Wednesday in a radio interview that the country – faced with the threat of the Omikron variant – should consider introducing mandatory vaccination against the coronavirus.

“Today, Israel’s vaccination policy is very friendly, inclusive and gives people time to make decisions, and this comes at a price,” said Zarka.

1. Where did Omikron come from? Scientists had a big surprise

The expert previously opposed the idea of ​​imposing an obligation to vaccinate, but admitted that the change in his position was due to the emergence of a new variant. He stressed, however, that this was his private opinion and was not related to the activity carried out by the Israeli Ministry of Health.

“It seemed like a week ago that there might not be a fifth wave, but now I’m more and more afraid of that,” added Zarka. – The new variant, which is already in Israel and is spreading all over the world, is very worrying.

Zarka also appealed to parents to hurry up with vaccinating their children. – There’s not much time. If this variant spreads around the world, it is better to meet it while you are vaccinated, ‘he said.

Currently, 63% of people in Israel are fully vaccinated. residents. Almost 44 percent received a booster dose.

The vaccine and Omikron: efficacy study is ongoing

The high number of mutations found in the Omikron variant raises concerns among virologists and questions about three elements: is the virus more transmissive, more resistant to vaccines, and will cause more severe disease.

Work on the latter has begun in the Israeli virology laboratory Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer.

1. Omicron is crazy about South Africa. The increase in new cases is dramatic – they have doubled in a day

‘The biggest problem with this type of test is the time it takes for the virus from laboratory samples to grow and multiply in cell cultures,’ said Prof. Ella Mendelson, director of the laboratory. She explained that Omikron does not grow so fast, in this respect it resembles the Alpha variant (British), which also reproduced slowly under such conditions.

Mendelson revealed that the entire testing process is divided into eight steps and can take two to three weeks. She also explained the intricacies of our immune system.

– Cells of the immune system and other mechanisms lead to the destruction of infected cells. What we’re testing is the first line of defense. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any other tools. These other elements can prevent serious illness and prevent a patient’s condition from worsening, but are less effective at preventing infection, she said.

There is a correlation between these lines of defense as the effectiveness of the immune system depends on its ability to identify the virus and react quickly. People who have never been vaccinated and who do not have immune memory because they do not have the first line of defense are most at risk of infection, she added.

Also read:

1. Omicron. The new Covid-19 variant has a name. Why is it important?
2. What are the symptoms of the new Omikron variant? They are unusual
3. COVID-19 has taken over Europe. Lockdown in two countries, restrictions in almost all [MAP]
4. What are the symptoms of COVID-19 patients now?

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