Will the coronavirus ever go away? No one knows for sure. Scientists think the virus that causes COVID-19 may be with us for decades or longer, but that doesn’t mean it will keep posing the same threat. The virus emerged in late 2019 and it’s difficult to predict how it will behave over the long term. But many experts believe it’s likely the disease will eventually ease from a crisis to a nuisance like the common cold. That would happen as people build up immunity over time, either through infection or vaccination. Other viruses have followed a similar path. The 1918 flu pandemic could also offer clues about the course of COVID-19. The U.S.

In an interview with Channel 12 News, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla was asked why he chose Israel as a case study for Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccines and he responded that he was “impressed with the obsession of your prime minister.” “Of course, I was talking with several heads of state,” Bourla said. “I spoke to your prime minister. He convinced me that Israel is the place with the right conditions. But also, I was frankly impressed with the obsession of your prime minister. He called me 30 times.” “He would call me at 3 o’clock in the morning and he would ask me: ‘What about the variants? What data do we have?’ I would say ‘Mr.

Health Ministry Director-General Chezy Levy told reporters on Thursday that he estimates that Israel will begin vaccinating children 12 and over around May-June. Levy said his estimate is based on the clinical trials currently being carried out which he hopes “will be over around the end of spring, beginning of summer.” Levy added that the mandate requiring Israelis to wear masks will remain in place for the foreseeable future despite the plummeting infection rate, with daily infections at the lowest rate in three months. “Someone who’s vaccinated can still be a source of infection if those around them aren’t wearing masks and aren’t vaccinated,” Levy said. “The same holds true even more so for children under 16 who are definitely not vaccinated yet.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The Israeli Medical Association called on Wednesday for a criminal investigation against anti-vaxxers for threatening health care officials who encourage vaccination. Prof. Galia Rahav, a director of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at Sheba and a member of the Health Ministry’s advisory panel, has received threatening messages. You’re “Hitler future neighbor in hell,” one message said, with another stating: “Galia, I hope and long for a day when G-d will soon take you.” Another two members of the Health Ministry’s vaccination committee also received death threats. The Health Ministry fiercely condemned the threats, saying: “Prof. Galia Rahav agreed to use her own private time, on a completely voluntary basis, to be part of the coronavirus advisory team. Furthermore. Prof.

Cambodia on Thursday confirmed its first death from COVID-19 since the pandemic began more than a year ago as it battles a new local outbreak that has infected hundreds of people. The 50-year-old man was confirmed infected last month while working as a driver for a Chinese company in coastal Sihanoukville and died at the Khmer-Soviet friendship hospital Thursday morning, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Cambodia has confirmed only 1,163 cases of infection with the coronavirus since the pandemic began, but it is battling a new local outbreak that has infected several hundred people. According to the Health Ministry, the new outbreak was traced to a foreign resident who broke quarantine in a hotel and went to a nightclub in early February.

Ten days after Purim, Israel’s coronavirus data is surprisingly encouraging, contrary to predictions by health experts that illegal Purim celebrations could cause an infection spike. Israel’s infection rate, number of seriously ill patients, and fatalities continue to decline, with the number of seriously ill patients standing at 653 on Wednesday, the lowest number since the end of December. The death toll stands at 5,962. According to Tomer Lotan, chief of staff of Magen Yisrael, Israel’s national coronavirus response center, Israel’s reproduction number has significantly decreased despite numerous Purim celebrations that violated health regulations, Ynet reported. “Our R number currently stands at 0.95, exactly 10 days after Purim.

Nursing home residents vaccinated against COVID-19 can get hugs again from their loved ones, and all residents may enjoy more indoor visits, the government said Wednesday in a step toward pre-pandemic normalcy. The policy guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, comes as coronavirus cases and deaths among nursing home residents have plummeted in recent weeks at the same time that vaccination accelerated. People living in long-term care facilities have borne a cruel toll from the pandemic. They represent about 1% of the U.S. population, but account for 1 in 3 deaths, according to the COVID Tracking Project. Government officials acknowledged that isolation deepened the misery for residents as long-term care facilities remained locked down much of last year.

In an unprecedented move, the Tel Aviv municipality on Wednesday banned all unvaccinated teachers and staff members from entering the city’s schools without a negative coronavirus test from the previous 72 hours, Ynet reported. The Israeli government has considered banning all unvaccinated teachers but ultimately didn’t do so due to legal hurdles and the Teachers’ Union threat of a strike. Beginning on Sunday, all Tel Aviv teachers and administrative staff members will be required to present a green passport or a negative coronavirus test from the previous 72 hours before entering city schools. The municipality said it will use “all the tools at its disposal” to maintain the health of students and staff.

Meuchedet, one of Israel’s four Kupot Cholim, published a report on Monday warning that Israel is issuing green passports too early, risking a spike in the infection rate. Currently, Israelis can receive a green passport a week after their second vaccination, when full immunity was thought to kick in, according to Pfizer data. However, the study carried out by Meuchedet found that vaccine effectiveness is only 89% a week after the second dose is administered, and reaches 96% only 15 days after the second dose. According to the study, which evaluated 102,150 vaccinated Israelis, 55% were diagnosed with the coronavirus within a week of receiving their second vaccine dose, and 27% were diagnosed with the coronavirus in the second week, when they supposedly had reached full immunity.

El Al launched a pilot program on Monday of rapid coronavirus tests for unvaccinated passengers prior to boarding a flight to New York at Ben-Gurion Airport. The rapid antigen tests, which were developed by Sheba Medical Center, are carried out prior to check-in, with results ready within 15-20 minutes. Out of 280 passengers boarding the flight to New York, 112 were required to be tested, mostly children under the age of 16 who are not yet able to be vaccinated. All El Al passengers are required to either be vaccinated or show proof of a negative PCR test taken in the 72 hours before the flight. The rapid tests are in addition to the PCR tests for unvaccinated passengers, adding an extra layer of protection for the flight.