MickIsrael experienced its highest daily number of new Covid cases this week – 71,000 out of a population of 9 million – but the head of country’s health department, Nahman Ash, concedes the number may be up to three times higher. Whichever figure is correct, the trend is certain: case numbers have been rising every day for the past two weeks, as the Omicron wave surges.
“Ninety-eight per cent of our patients are now infected with Omicron,” says Dror Mevorach, who heads the Covid ward at Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem.
From the start, Israel has been proactive, pioneering mass vaccinations and the third booster shot. Once it became clear that the largest numbers of vaccinated people contracting the Omicron variant were older, Israel last month initiated a fourth vaccine booster for those over 60, as well as frontline medical workers and the immuno-compromised.
As a fourth shot had not been approved by US regulatory authorities, the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv began a trial, testing its effect on its staff, who have been monitored since December 2020, when they received the first dose of the vaccine. Preliminary results released this week have found only middling results.
“The vaccine, which was very effective against the previous strains, is less effective against Omicron,” said Gili Regev-Yochay, who is leading the trial.
“We see many who receive the fourth dose and are infected with Omicron. Granted, a bit less than in the control group, but there are still a lot of infections. The bottom line is that the vaccine was excellent against the Alpha and Delta variants, but for Omicron it’s not good enough.”
The trial, which follows 150 medical staff, is much smaller than most drug trials, where thousands of participants are tracked for months. But Dr Regev-Yochay says she released the preliminary findings because it’s the only known study of the fourth dose. She added it was still probably beneficial to give a fourth jab to people in higher risk groups including the very elderly, but hinted that perhaps it need not be given to everyone over 60.
More than 500,000 Israelis have received a fourth dose, and Dr Alroy-Preis says with hindsight it was still the right decision. “A five to six fold increase in antibodies is better than nothing and this is the most vulnerable section of the community,” she said.
It's more likely it was a blood clot. I don't believe it was "choking to death". If you are going to use a death to push a cause, then let the facts come out. Was it omicron or delta?Threr are a lot of side effects that the virus can give you. Stroke, heart inflammation, etc. The family is convinced, we weren't there.
She was under its effects probably trying not to worry them. As you know, I know a person in her 40s who has ruined lungs from it.
There is always some doubt in everything in life and death but 57 year olds don't normally die that easy. I reckon it is highly likely the virus was a factor. (Same age as Keanu Reaves and myself and we still look pretty good).
Also being vaccinated doesn’t stop you catching it and spreading it. You know that personally Moxjo. It just lets your body fight it faster because it has been primed.
There's a reason for that, Victorians.Latest poll published today shows Dan's lead has increased and he would rout the opposition again at the next election.
I think all the hate memes just make him stronger.
I am surprised.
He was just waiting for an excuse, record surpluses, record country W.A tourism spend, more work than workers, what's not to like.Mark Macgowan has backtracked on his promise to open up the Country called WA to foreigners, and copped a bit of flack.
I had a quick look at this caption from the ABC , and the hearing impaired translator seemed to be giving a pretty good translation of what Macgowans attitude to everybody might be.
They can pretty much stay closed as it's all mining.He was just waiting for an excuse, record surpluses, record country W.A tourism spend, more work than workers, what's not to like.
Hopefully when covid does eventually hit W.A, it isn't a really nasty strain.
It's more likely it was a blood clot.
From what I understand, the recovery phase can involve heart attacks, various blood clots etc.
This will make you laugh...and cry because it is all true.
https://www.facebook.com/
Its a short video with the latest Covid rules that don't really work. Very funny, not political but a bit tragic also. Click on the picture.I'm old fashioned and not particularly tech savvy @Knobby22 ...
What does this mean/and what are you referring to?? (Sorry if that is a dumb question) I am an old b@stard, lol
Lol .... For some reason the "picture" did not show up till today on my computerIts a short video with the latest Covid rules that don't really work. Very funny, not political but a bit tragic also. Click on the picture.
Lol .... For some reason the "picture" did not show up till today on my computer
Anyway, now I understand .....Crack up, lol
Sounds like Europe and the UK are going to adopt the same covid tactics, as you guys over East.
Europeans consider a new COVID-19 strategy: living with the virus
The idea is to move from crisis mode to control mode, approaching the virus in much the same way countries deal with flu or measles.www.smh.com.au
What screw it up ? ?
Well the media is beginning to roll the narrative over, from the guy is an idiot, to it looks like what he said was right and it might be working.
Not that the media will ever put like that.
From the article:These eight charts suggest Australia may have reached its Omicron peak, with one state ahead of the rest
The evidence is firming up that at least one state — New South Wales — has reached its hospitalisation peak for this wave of the pandemic.www.abc.net.au
The evidence is firming up that at least one state — New South Wales — has reached its hospitalisation peak for this wave of the pandemic.
It comes as new figures show the overall burden on the health system is lower than scenario modelling released by the government at the start of the year.
The silver lining to a deadly week in NSW also gives us some hints about when other states might reach a peak in the Omicron wave, while case numbers remain tricky to interpret.
That is what worries me, it is ok to keep a lid on it, but eventually alladin will get out of the lamp, I just hope when that happens in W.A it isnt a really bad variant.You would have to hope what's happened is worth it, I wonder if we just get another variant and press replay guess no one really knows.
MaoClown IS the bad variant.That is what worries me, it is ok to keep a lid on it, but eventually alladin will get out of the lamp, I just hope when that happens in W.A it isnt a really bad variant.
I can understand his reasoning, financial, political and personal, but it could all backfire very badly when there is no more reasonable excuse to keep the borders closed.MaoClown IS the bad variant.
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