As the world still fights the COVID-19 pandemic with the highly virulent Omicron variant of COVID-19, which was first traced in South Africa in 2021, reports have shown that Israel has detected a new variant of the deadly virus. Both the cases were of the new variant of COVID-19 (combination of BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron variant) was discovered during routine PCR testing.
Two cases of a previously unknown COVID-19 variant that are thought to be a combination of the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants has been registered in the country said the Israel’s Health Ministry.
“Both the cases were of the new variant of COVID-19 (combination of BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron variant) was discovered during routine PCR testing performed at the Ben-Gurion International Airport for all passengers entering the country,” the Health Ministry quoted as saying.
Symptoms of New COVID Variant
COVID-19 is a virus that attacks the lungs and other respiratory organs. As a result, it causes some of the most complex and visible respiratory symptoms. Here are some of the new Omicron symptoms reported by patients who tested positive for the new combination variant:
- Low-grade fever,
- Migraines and headaches
- Muscle ache
- They did not, however, require any additional medical attention.
“Analysis of the data revealed a unique genetic signature that combines mutations originating in the BA.1 strain and… the BA.2 strain,” a spokesperson from Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), where the PCR tests were sequenced, said in a statement.
“It is important to note that the variant’s detection is only possible through deep sequencing. The data was immediately transmitted to the Health Ministry and Central Virus Laboratory for verification.”
As this variant has not yet been discovered anywhere else in the world so there is not much known about it. But senior Hadassah Medical Center physician Prof. Dror Mevorach said: “Every two to three weeks there is a new variant.”
“As long as it does not make up a significant part of new infections, it will not be defined as a variant of concern and has little significance,” he was quoted as saying.
