Sheba medical center, Medical center in Ramat Gan, Israel

Jerusalem, Jan 14 Israel has detected some 20 cases of a new sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid.The sub-variant, known as BA.2, was discovered during genetic sequencing of Covid patients. It contains more mutations than the original Omicron and may be more violent.While scientists were concerned about the new development, the danger posed by the new sub-variant is still uncertain.According to Israel's Health Ministry, there was no evidence that BA.2 behaved differently than Omicron, Jerusalem Post reported.BA.2 was first seen in China a few weeks ago, and is suspected to have originated in India. It has also been observed in Denmark, Australia, Canada and Singapore, state media Kan reported.Israel has in the past week seen a new record of virus carriers, increasing from 12,000 a day to 48,000.The number of serious patients, while still limited, has also started to increase. There were 283 patients on Thursday compared with 136 a week earlier.In addition, 284 new patients were classified as serious over the previous seven days, marking an increase of 189 per cent over the previous week, the Post reported.However, as the Omicron causes only mild disease, the general situation of patients appears to be much better than in previous waves.According to the World Health Organization, the Omicron variant (parent Pango lineage B.1.1.529) includes three descendent lineages (BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3). While BA.1 and BA.3 have the 69-70 deletion in the spike protein, BA.2 does not.Recently, scientists at Department of Biotechnology's Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) in India also noted the significant presence of both BA.1 and BA.2 in genone tests conducted in the country.BA.1, in particular, has been co-circulating with Delta and also replacing it in Maharashtra and several other states. BA.3 has not been detected so far in the country, media reports said.Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Sheba Medical CenterFOLLOW

Sheba medical center, Latest News

Jerusalem, Jan 18 Israel has shortened quarantine for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients to ease the pressure on the economy, ... ...

New Delhi, Jan 17 Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on Monday that although the "most likely scenario" is ... ...

Jerusalem, Jan 17 The Israeli health ministry announced 27,167 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, raising the country's total ... ...

Jerusalem, Jan 16 Israel is expected to start vaccines for babies and toddlers, between six months and 5 ... ...

Jerusalem, Jan 16 Israel's Minister of Finance Avigdor Lieberman said he has tested positive for Covid-19 and will ... ...

At least four people are being held hostage at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, according to a law enforcement official. ...

A new study has found that a green Mediterranean diet, high in polyphenols and low in red and processed meat, seems to slow age-related brain atrophy. ...

Jerusalem, Jan 14 Israel has detected some 20 cases of a new sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron ... ...