Testimony of a Doctor on 'Omicron Infection'... "Two Days of Fever and Three Days of Extreme Fatigue, Stronger Than Expected"

Confirmed Positive After Attending Conference in London, UK... "Still Not Feeling Well"

Israeli doctor Elad Maor, who returned to work just ten days after being infected with the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, shared his experience of infection. Photo by Maor (Twitter capture)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] An Israeli doctor who was infected with the new COVID-19 variant Omicron and recovered within ten days has shared his experience regarding his health condition during the infection.

On the 7th (local time), Israeli doctor Elad Maor stated in an interview with The Jerusalem Post, "Omicron was stronger than expected," adding, "I had a fever for 48 hours and was extremely fatigued for 72 hours. I also experienced muscle pain."

Maor is a professor at Tel Aviv University and a cardiologist at Sheba Medical Center, Israel's largest hospital. After attending a conference in London, UK, he tested positive for COVID-19 on the 28th of last month. Although he returned to work ten days after his diagnosis, he said, "My physical condition is still not good."

Maor had received a third booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine. He mentioned, "I took a PCR test 72 hours before returning to Israel, and was also tested at Tel Aviv Airport, both of which were negative at the time. I did not bring the variant to London; I was infected there and returned."

Regarding the route of infection, Maor believes he was likely infected on the London subway, at the conference, or on the plane. He speculated, "I used the subway daily in London, where many passengers were not wearing masks. Some of them were probably unvaccinated."

When asked about being infected despite completing vaccination, Maor responded, "Vaccines do not completely protect us from the virus. However, they prevent severe illness or death."

After returning to Israel, Maor tested negative on a COVID test and went about his daily life unaware of his infection for some time. Only one colleague doctor who had contact with him was confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant. Maor's wife, who had also received the booster, and his vaccinated children aged 13 and 17 were not infected.