Omicron

Multiple studies show Omicron far milder than Delta

Risk of hospitalization around 20% less for vaccinated cohort, around 50% less for those with prior coronavirus infection.

Economy Min.: 'If we reach a lockdown, we didn't act correctly'

'No one is planning a lockdown,' Economy Min. Orna Barbivay promises.

WHO: Too soon to say if Omicron is more severe than Delta

WHO official says there is not yet enough data on the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Fauci: Gatherings unsafe even for those who got booster

Top US infectious disease expert: Early evidence says Omicron is less severe than Delta, but we must remain cautious.

A season of never-ending discontent

Are we ever going to be free of this Wuhan whirlwind? Op-ed.

Omicron measures, a test of rationality

The govermental reactions to the Omicron variant are a 'nisayon haseikhel' - a test of rationality. We need much more information. Op-ed.

Israeli study: Booster increases COVID-19 antibodies by 40 times

New research by Assuta Ashdod shows booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine significantly increases antibody levels in immunocompromised patients.

Israel's first Omicron death - was actually not Omicron-related

Health Ministry says elderly man who died Tuesday and was labeled 'first Israeli Omicron death' - actually had Delta variant, not Omicron.

AstraZeneca to produce vaccine for Omicron

Oxford university and AstraZeneca begin work on Omicron-targeted version of their coronavirus vaccine.

Biden presents plan to fight Omicron

Plan includes free rapid tests, pop-up vaccination sites, and hundreds of new people to administer vaccines.

Finance Minister: 'No place to limit number of people'

'No place to limit gatherings, it takes us straight to the world of compensation,' Finance Min. Liberman says.

PM Bennett: To all those eligible, go and get your 4th shot

Following epidemic taskforce's recommendation to offer another booster to vulnerable groups, PM orders preparations to be made.

PM Bennett: 'We cannot prevent this wave of COVID-19 infections'

'The alternative is between restrictions and preventive measures now, and much harsher measures later,' PM Bennett says.

FM Lapid: 'Virus doesn't care about your religion'

Foreign Min. Lapid joins virtual meeting to discuss Omicron, emphasizes, 'If virus doesn't care' about religion, 'neither should we.'

US, foreign leaders hold virtual meeting to discuss Omicron

Ministers discuss initial scientific findings, efforts to accelerate end of COVID-19 pandemic.

Elderly man becomes Israel's first Omicron death

Israel's first Omicron death is elderly man who turned down booster dose, report says.

NYC offers $100 cash for COVID booster recipients

Mayor de Blasio presents the plan as the way to "get through these challenging weeks and avoid lockdown."

Ministers approve capping in-office workforce at 50%

Ministers approve 50% physical presence in government and public sector workplaces.

Expert: 'Fourth dose should be considered'

Prof. Eran Segal, adviser to Coronavirus Cabinet, warns of 'two doublings a week, and conflicting reports regarding virulence.'

46 new Omicron cases confirmed in Israel

Total number of Omicron cases reported in Israel rises to 221, with 775 more suspected cases of the variant detected.

200 kids infected with COVID by unvaccinated teachers

200 school students infected with COVID in Ma'ale Adumim after exposure to teachers without Green Pass. 25 students infected with Omicron.

Smotrich accuses Bennett of flip-flopping on COVID policy

In light of the government's indecision regarding the new variant, MK Bezalel Smotrich states that Bennett cannot lead as PM.

Nurse shortage: Only 400 nurses for school vaccination campaign

Despite Bennett's intent to combat the Omicron strain through student vaccination, there are not enough nurses in schools.

Dr. Strangelove or how I stopped worrying about Covid-19

The American public seems to have turned a deaf ear to recognized authorities on Covid-19, whether political, medical, or scientific. Op-ed.

US records first death from Omicron

Unvaccinated Houston man in his 50s with underlying health conditions dies from Omicron variant.

Government mulling restrictions on gatherings

Bennett holds consultation on the continued dealing with the Omicron strain of COVID-19.

CDC: Omicron accounts for 73% of US COVID-19 cases

CDC says Omicron is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the US.

Bennett proposes denying entry to classes for unvaccinated kids

The Ministry of Education and other MKs oppose the proposal. Parental leadership: "A proposal that is a disgrace to decision-makers."

Data shows Moderna booster shot works against omicron

Data shows Moderna booster shot increases neutralizing antibodies against the omicron variant.

mRNA tech inventor: Omicron looks like 'a Christmas present'

Robert Malone says that while COVID shot 'is not protecting from Omicron,' the virus is 'about as good as we could possibly want right now.'

Health Minister: If you don't want long COVID, get vaccinated'

Health Min. Nitzan Horowitz warns Omicron 'gaining amazing speed,' pace of vaccinations is 'insufficient.'

Expert: 'Too early to talk about lockdown'

Prof. Itamar Grotto, former top Health Ministry official, says 'too early' to talk about lockdown, Netherlands is 'playing game from 2020.'

Top health expert: 'I oppose mandatory vaccination'

Prof. Sigal Sadetsky, head of public health services, warns Israelis must not be complacent. 'Unfortunately we are before the storm.'

Iran detects first case of Omicron variant

Iran has wrestled with the worst outbreak in the Middle East of COVID-19, with dozens of top officials having fallen ill.

Fauci warns of 'bleak winter' due to Omicron

Dr. Anthony Fauci cautions against too much optimism over Omicron's severity.

Report: Lapid opposed Green Pass, Bennett backed down

Lapid's opposition reportedly surprised Bennett and caused him to back down from the move.

Omicron Variant:

Bennett: Time is running out - vaccinate your kids now

Prime Minister Bennett warns of 'fifth wave' of the coronavirus, lamenting 'rapid spread' of Omicron variant.

New Knesset regulations in light of Omicron's spread

Cafeteria take-out only, gym closed, tours & events canceled... all in the hope that essential functions will be able to continue.

Naftali Bennett: Time is running out, the fifth wave is coming

PM at cabinet meeting calls on all citizens to be extra vigilant in light of Omicron variant's increased transmissibility.

Was there an Omicron outbreak at IAC Florida conference?

Many attendees at Israeli-American Council conference diagnosed with COVID after event.

Egypt detects three cases of Omicron

Three Egyptians test positive for Omicron variant on their return from overseas.

Israeli government to discuss banning travel to most countries

PM Bennett warns: 'Any minister who votes against action now will bear responsibility for the outbreak.'

Top doctor: 'I am in favor of closing the borders'

Prof. Galia Rahav, top doctor at Sheba Medical Center, warns Omicron 'spreading in an exponential fashion.'

Family violates quarantine, causes mass infection

Family from Jerusalem which returned from South Africa violates quarantine despite testing positive for Omicron variant.

Imposition of Green Pass restrictions at malls postponed

Decision to require Green Passes at malls will not be implemented tomorrow as originally planned following protests from mall owners.

Israel: No religious discrimination against Christian travelers

Foreign Ministry issues statement rejecting accusations only Jews being granted exceptions during Omicron closure of borders.

Omicron reaches Knesset

21 Knesset security guards and employees, as well as MK Meir Porush, in isolation after guard tests positive for Omicron variant.

22 new confirmed Omicron cases in Israel

Number of confirmed cases of Omicron variant in Israel rises to 89.

Moderna chief medic: 'Omicron poses a real threat'

Dr. Burton warns of "situation where individuals will become co-infected" with both Delta & Omicron, leading to more mutations emerging.

Pfizer vaccine prevents 70% of Omicron hospitalizations

New South African study finds Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine effective in preventing Omicron hospitalizations.

1st confirmed death from Omicron variant in Britain

New COVID variant which has had much of the world spooked claims its first victim in UK.

Omicron spreading at 'phenomenal rate', UK says

'Tidal wave' of infections, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns, as Omicron spreads across Britain.

Experts decide against fourth vaccine dose

Health experts decide against recommending shorter time before booster and against fourth vaccine dose.

Bennett warns of lockdown if vaccination rates don't rise

Internal Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev suggests imposing green pass on people leaving their homes as Omicron strain spreads.

Bennett falsely claims 2 British boys died of Omicron

PM makes claim that children died from Omicron variant during weekly Cabinet meeting, but no deaths have been confirmed so far.

Coalition leaders meet: 'Red' countries list to be updated often

PM Bennett calls meeting of coalition leaders, holds situational assessment on status of Omicron in Israel.

Bennett weighing additional restrictions on travel abroad

PM Bennett supports banning unvaccinated from flying, Health Ministry opposes.

Study: Booster dose protects against severe illness from Omicron

New research from Sheba Medical Center shows COVID-19 vaccine four times less effective at protecting against Omicron than against Delta.

Health Ministry: 20 new cases of Omicron variant

Number of confirmed cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant rises to 55 with addition of 20 new diagnoses, Health Ministry says.

PM Bennett to HMOs: Increase pace of vaccinations

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks with HMO CEOs and Chairpersons in order to increase pace of vaccinations against coronavirus.