Israel is changing its quarantine and vaccination policy in a bid to ensure lasting protection for those vulnerable to the Omicron variant epidemic, the health ministry said.
The PCR tests will be intended for people over 60 years of age and with a weak immune system, while in the lower risk populations the diagnostic test will be done with a rapid antigen test, said officials of the Ministry of Health.
Those vaccinated against Covid-19 who have been exposed to carriers of the virus will use self-tests to determine if they should be quarantined.
“It is a significant change aimed at identifying the vulnerable population more quickly, treating and preventing serious illness. We are now focusing less on infection rates,” the health ministry director general told a news conference.
Israel hopes Pfizer Inc and Merck & Co Inc antivirals will help keep hospitalizations and serious cases low, even if the number of daily cases is expected to reach new highs in the coming weeks.
The new policies will take effect on Friday, January 7, the ministry said.
Israel has recorded about 1.4 million cases since the beginning of the pandemic and more than 8,000 deaths. 64% of the 9.4 million population is fully vaccinated. The fourth dose of the vaccine was given to the vulnerable this week.
SOURCE: AMPE
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Source From: Capital
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