The Ministry of Health reported on Monday the appearance in Israel of six cases of the new XFG variant of the COVVI-19, nicknamed “Stratus”.
The strain, identified for the first time in Southeast Asia in January, spreads to the United States and throughout Europe, where it is now the third variant most frequently encountered this summer.
The rate of infection in Israel is currently low. Symptoms are similar to those of other recent strains of Covid, including fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue.
According to the World Health Organization, current vaccines should remain effective against this new variant of the COVVI-19.
“In the general context of public health, this covid variant is not worrying,” said Professor Eyal Leshem, director of the Travel and Tropical Diseases Center for Sheba Hospital.
In addition, the Ministry of Health reported a continuous increase in measles cases, especially among the people who are not vaccinated in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh. Five additional cases were confirmed in Bnei Brak.
According to the ministry, 22 patients, including two young children, are currently hospitalized in intensive care units.
The health authorities have said that the actual number of infected people is probably much higher. On the basis of admissions to the hospital and field relationships, they estimate that between 950 and 1,700 people may have been contaminated since the start of the epidemic in April.
The ministry urged the population to verify its vaccination status and, if necessary, to be vaccinated against measles.
Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease that is characterized by fever, general discomfort, nasal flow and rash. It can cause serious, even fatal complications.
