"Vaccinated Individuals Also Infected"… Israel on Alert Over India-Origin Variant Virus

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Israel, which is approaching herd immunity based on the success of COVID-19 vaccinations, is on alert over infections from the India-origin variant virus. It has been confirmed that some of the infected individuals with the India-origin variant in Israel have also been vaccinated.

On the 29th (local time), the Israeli Ministry of Health announced that a total of 41 cases of infection with the India-origin variant virus have been confirmed so far.

Among these, 24 cases were travelers arriving from abroad, and 17 cases were local infections, including 5 cases involving children. The Ministry of Health explained that among those infected with the India-origin variant virus, 4 had already been vaccinated.

Earlier, the public broadcaster Kan reported, citing the Ministry of Health laboratory, that among the 40 reported cases of the India-origin variant virus infection, 3 were confirmed as local infections. The broadcast stated that it is highly likely that these infections originated from travelers arriving from abroad.

Currently, to enter Israel, travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued after testing prior to boarding the aircraft. Although all entrants presented negative certificates, infections were confirmed through testing upon arrival at Israeli airports.

In response, the Israeli Ministry of Health has banned entry of travelers coming from India since last week to prevent the influx of the India-origin variant. Additionally, travel restrictions have been imposed on high-risk countries for COVID-19, including India, and mandatory quarantine after entry has been suggested even for vaccinated individuals. However, the government has not yet officially adopted this proposal.

Meanwhile, based on the success of rapid vaccination, Israel has opened most commercial and public facilities. Recently, the outdoor mask-wearing mandate was also lifted, creating conditions where explosive spread of infection is possible if the variant virus penetrates.