'Delta Variant Spread' in Israel: 64% of Severe Cases Are 'Breakthrough Infections'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] In Israel, where the Delta variant is spreading despite a high COVID-19 vaccination rate, it has been revealed that 60% of the current severe cases are breakthrough infections?cases where individuals contracted COVID-19 even after receiving two doses of the vaccine.

According to a report by the Jerusalem Post on the 12th (local time), among 400 severe patients counted by the Israeli Ministry of Health until the morning of the previous day, 64% had received two doses of the vaccine.

On the other hand, the proportion of unvaccinated individuals was 32%. The remaining 2% were cases in the process of vaccination (such as those who had received only one dose), and another 2% were recovered COVID-19 patients.

Among approximately 40,000 'active cases'?infected individuals who have not yet recovered and are capable of transmission?the proportion of severe breakthrough infections is about 0.6%.

Furthermore, based on the 5.4 million people who have received two doses, the proportion of severe breakthrough infections is reduced to an extremely minimal level.

However, authorities are deeply concerned as the daily number of new confirmed cases has remained around 6,000 for three consecutive days recently, and the numbers of severe patients and deaths are rapidly increasing.

Experts also predict that if the current level of quarantine measures?excluding strong lockdowns such as movement restrictions and business closures?is maintained, the number of hospitalized and severe patients will increase to several thousand within a few weeks. This would place an enormous burden on the healthcare system.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, accepting these expert opinions, has prepared a plan to double dedicated beds and medical personnel under the assumption that the number of severe patients will increase to 2,400, six times the current level, by mid-next month.

They plan to secure an additional 770 severe patient beds and mobilize 2,000 medical staff along with 3,000 medical and nursing students.

Prime Minister Bennett said, "This measure is a booster shot for hospitals. In the global situation of the rampant Delta variant, we are taking decisive action."

Israel has so far taken only low-level quarantine measures, based on the view that vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe infection or death, aiming to guarantee the social and economic activities of its citizens.

Typical examples include indoor and outdoor mask-wearing and controlling unvaccinated individuals' access to public places through the 'Green Pass,' an immunity certificate.

However, as the situation where vaccine effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death cannot be guaranteed becomes a reality, the government is gradually tightening quarantine measures.

Starting from the 18th, Israel plans to expand the application of the Green Pass to all public places except shopping malls and commercial facilities, and lower the eligible age for the pass from under 12 years to under 3 years.