Israel Detects New COVID-19 Strain, Two Cases Of 'Unidentified Variant' Reported So Far

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, is refusing to go away even after three years. While new infections and fatalities are comparatively low, the pandemic is still lurking around.

One of the primary reasons the pandemic has not ended yet is that the virus keeps evolving.

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Combination of two Omicron sub-variants

Now scientists in Israel have claimed that they have discovered a yet-to-be-identified virus variant.

According to Israel's health ministry, the new variant combines two sub-variants of the Omicron version of the virus, referred to as BA.1 and BA.2.

Though the new variant was detected in Israel, initial findings suggest it did not originate in the country.

So far, two cases of the said new variant has been found and both were tested upon landing at Ben-Gurion International airport.

AFP

What are the symptoms?

Israel's head of public health, Dr Sharon Alroy-Preis, has stated that the occurrence of combined variants is a well-known phenomenon, and there is no current cause for concern regarding any severe cases resulting from this new variant.

The patients had symptoms that included fever, headaches, and muscle aches. However, they did not need specialised medical care.

It is very early to predict if this newly-discovered variant is already spreading in other parts of the world or how lethal it is.

Active cases cross 5000 in India

Meanwhile, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India surpassed 5,000 after 109 days, after a single-day rise of 796 infections in the past 24 hours.

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The total tally of COVID-19 cases now stands at 4.46 crore (4,46,93,506). The death toll increased to 5,30,795 with five fatalities.

While Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry and Uttar Pradesh reported one death each, Kerala reconciled one.

The number of active cases has increased to 5,026, comprising 0.01 per cent of the total infections. According to the health ministry website, the national COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 98.80 per cent.

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Health ministry writes to states

On Thursday, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry wrote to the State governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka to follow a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat and vaccinations as these states witness a rise in COVID-19 cases.

"It is advised that State should examine the situation of COVID-19 at the micro level (district and sub-districts) and maintain focus on the implementation of necessary measures for prompt and effective management of Covid-19 duly ensuring effective compliance with various advisories issued by this Ministry," the letter said.

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