Omicron

Number of Omicron carriers rises to 35

Health Ministry confirms: 14 new Omicron diagnoses, 52 who were possibly exposed to the new COVID-19 variant.

WHO: Data suggests Omicron is ‘less severe’

World Health Organization says severe cases of new COVID-19 variant remain low in South Africa.

PM pushes lockdown for unvaccinated, Health Minister opposes

New restrictions to be imposed against Omicron variant. PM asks for compulsory vaccination option to be legally evaluated.

Quarantine for Omicron patients to be longer

Patients with Omicron variant to be in quarantine for 14 days instead of 10 due to concern it may be contagious for longer.

WHO official: Vaccines should also work against Omicron

Top WHO official says existing vaccines should protect people who contract Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Israel considers vaccinating recovered children

Parents of children ages 5-11 who have recovered from COVID to be allowed to give them COVID vaccine.

Fauci: Omicron variant 'less severe' than Delta

White House infectious disease expert says new COVID variant more infectious but causes less severe influence, more data needed.

Health Minister: 4th vaccine dose for all Israelis a possibility

Minister Nitzan Horowitz says if data shows drop in efficacy of booster shots, an additional booster shot would be authorized.

'The Omicron is mild, banning travel because of it is apartheid'

'No deaths, no hospitalizations'. Nigeria excoriates travel restrictions imposed by Western countries on Africa over Omicron variant.

Number of Omicron cases rises to 21

Majority of cases among people who returned from abroad and people who either got vaccinated or recovered.

De Blasio announces private sector vaccine mandate

NYC Mayor says beginning December 27 all private sector employees will be required to be vaccinated in response to Omicron variant.

Fauci: Early feedback on severity of Omicron is 'encouraging'

US top expert on infectious diseases says early indications of severity of Omicron variant are "a bit encouraging".

Israel's Omicron infection total rises to 11

There is a high suspicion of another 24 cases of exposure to the Omicron variant, testing still underway.

Omicron- a divine Hannukah present?

Perhaps Omicron is the mutant the world has been hoping for, and  should be praying for. Opinion.

7 cases of Omicron variant identified in Israel

Four more confirmed cases of COVID 'Omicron' variant in Israel. 4 of 7 total cases are unvaccinated Israelis who returned from Africa.

US tightens travel rules amid concerns over Omicron

All in-bound international passengers will require to test for COVID-19 within 24 hours of departure, regardless of vaccine status.

Case of Omicron variant identified in Colorado

Colorado health officials report third confirmed case of the Omicron variant in the US.

Israel to fine those who do not undergo second PCR test

Fines will be imposed on persons arriving from overseas who do not undergo second PCR test on the third or seventh day since their arrival.

3rd Omicron case identified in Israel

All 3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant are people who returned from abroad and were vaccinated.

Bennett, Health Min. stop Shabak tracking of Omicron carriers

Shabak to end GPS tracking of suspected Omicron carriers at midnight on Thursday. Health Minister explains use was meant to be temporary.

South African expert: Vaccines better protection against Omicron

Data from South Africa shows more people who recovered from COVID becoming reinfected with Omicron, vaccines prevent serious illness.

Protest: Models - yes, vaccinated Jews - no

Miss Universe contestants allowed to enter Israel despite the ban on foreigners - while parents of immigrants are barred from entering.

Israeli contracted Omicron at conference where all were vaxxed

Dr. Maor returned from London, went back to work, and infected at least one colleague before developing symptoms. He is fully vaccinated.

Biden to extend public transit mask mandate through mid-March

The move comes amid concerns over the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

US reports first case of Omicron variant

A traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22 and tested positive on November 29 is first US case of new COVID-19 variant.

World Flag Football Championships in Israel not cancelled

Teams to receive special permission to fly to Israel despite travel ban for December 6-8 championship tournament.

'We need to examine all options - including mandatory vaccines'

'Israel's approach is more understanding - and that comes with a price,' coronavirus czar Prof. Salman Zarka says.

The COVID dilemmas: Antivaxxers in the UK

Boosters should deal with the Omicron threat — but what about antivaxers? Op-ed.

'Less than 200 cases of Omicron worldwide'

'Number of hospitalizations rising at similar pace to previous variants,' Prof. Eran Segal, expert at Weizmann Institute of Science, says.

Fauci: Too early to know if Omicron will lead to severe disease

Top US infectious disease expert says preliminary information indicates Omicron does not result in unusual symptoms.

Initial data shows vaccine very effective against Omicron strain

New data shows drop in vaccine's efficacy is slight and transmission is not significantly faster than Delta's.

Health Min.: 'No reason to panic, there's room for optimisim'

Health Min. visits Be'er Sheva hospital, says there are 'initial indications' that booster dose protects against the new Omicron variant.

PM Bennett to world leaders: Booster has very quick effect

PM Naftali Bennett speaks with Austrian Chancellor, Czechia's PM, about the new 'Omicron' COVID-19 variant.

Stocks plunge following Moderna CEO's gloomy predictions

Stéphane Bancel stressed risks involved in switching production to Omicron-focused vaccine, suggested booster doses were a better option.

Israel has 34 suspected cases of Omicron COVID variant

Two confirmed carriers are doctors at Sheba Hospital; both were fully vaccinated including with booster dose.

Shabak tracking of Omicron carriers: 'Only way to save lives'

Hearing reveals tracking has already been activated. 'Shabak is not supposed to act against civilians - but every rule has an exception.'

Survey: Just 52% consent to be digitally tracked

Results also showed older people more likely to consent; many concerned about infringement of privacy.

CDC: Adults should get a booster shot

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues new guidance recommending booster shots for all vaccinated people 18 and older.

Biden: Omicron cause for concern, not panic

US President provides update on new COVID variant which has world spooked.

Pfizer CEO:

New vaccine against Omicron variant could be ready in 100 days

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says original vaccine likely still effective against new COVID variant, but will develop new vaccine just in case.

Japan bars foreign visitors due to new variant

Japan said it would shut its borders to foreign visitors to prevent spread of 'Omicron' variant.

Is 'vaccine apartheid' responsible for Omicron?

In an unvaccinated population, COVID can spread unchecked and mutate faster. 3.5 billion people have yet to receive a vaccine shot.

Israeli gov't clarifies: These are the new entry regulations

Israelis, fully vaccinated B1 visa holders allowed entry to Israel, those with B2 visas require entry permit.

Israeli expert: Vaccine is best tool we have against Omicron

No evidence Omicron COVID-19 variant has spread in Israel, says Prof. Ran Balicer, chair of Health Min. experts advisory team on COVID-19.

Finance Ministry refuses to compensate airline companies

Foreign arrivals barred from country for two weeks; government says: "These are normal business risks."

Hannukah panic-ah

Drs. Bennett and Horror-witz are shooting from the hip, based on Ministry of Health fears. Opinion.

Officials concerned about impact of Omicron variant on schooling

"We need expanded PCR testing, more vaccination, and better ventilation in schools," says Prof. Davidovitch.

Fauci: It will take two weeks to have definitive data on Omicron

Biden briefed on new COVID-19 variant, told existing vaccines are likely to provide "a degree of protection".

South Arica to Israel: Vaccine effective against Omicron strain

Early data from South Africa encouragingly shows that the vaccines are effective against serious illness even against the Omicron variant.

Doctor who discovered Omicron: Most cases are 'extremely mild'

South African physician who discovered Omicron variant says panic at this stage is unwarranted, noting most cases are 'very mild'.

2nd case of Omicron variant detected in Israel

Woman who recently returned from South Africa is 2nd case of new COVID strain which has world spooked in Israel.

Saudi Arabia claims no cases of Omicron variant in country

Saudi Arabia says 'laxness' of other countries, refusal of some to get vaccinated to blame for emergence of new COVID variants.

Govt. approves Shabak monitoring of Omicron carriers

Shabak to use GPS tracking to monitor cases of Omicron variant in Israel, will not monitor other COVID patients.

CDC: No cases of 'Omicron' variant in US

US health officials say no cases of new COVID variant have been reported in the country thus far.

Religious Jews forced to board plane and desecrate Shabbat

Religious Jews arriving to pay condolences to family of Eli Kay made to board plane under threat of arrest and desecrate Shabbat.

PM: We are constantly reassessing the situation with new variant

"I know people are tired of living with COVID, but I ask of you to be patient and obedient," says PM Naftali Bennett.

Omicron variant:

Mortality doubles in S. Africa where new variant first found

Head of Public Health Services Dr. Sharon Alray-Price: Variant has 38 mutations in spike protein, precisely in areas we're concerned about.

Businesses fear lockdown with the spread of Omicron variant

Business owners and the tourist industry worry government won't provide compensation if country goes into lockdown.

COVID Czar: We're in control of the situation

Seven cases of Omicron variant confirmed in Israel. "We only have limited information on new variant; vaccine remains useful," Zarka says.

Coronavirus Cabinet bans foreigners from entering Israel

All Israelis required to quarantine, undergo 2 PCR tests after arrival. Those returning from 'red' countries will be quarantined in hotels.