Thread by @ariehkovler

Omicron in Israel: Latest case data from the Health Ministry. This is based on a small number of cases so care should be taken in drawing broad conclusions about infectivity etc. That said, here goes—

Israel has 7 confirmed Omicron cases. These are:

1. woman (vaxxed with 2xAZ) who returned from Malawi
2. Woman (vaxxed+boosted Pfizer) who returned from SA
3. Doctor (vaxxed+boosted Pfizer) who returned from medical conference in London
4-7 Four unvaxxed ppl who came from SA.

Another 27 Covid cases are "highly suspected" to have Omicron. I'm guessing that means S-gene dropout detected but no genetic typing done yet. Of these:

*5 were 'protected' (ie within the last 6 months they were vaxxed, boosted or recovered)
* 22 were not 'protected'

Of the 27 highly suspect cases, 8 arrived from abroad. The other 19 have not travelled recently, suggesting some community spread.

Of these 34 cases together (confirmed and high suspect):

* 10 'unprotected' people have symptoms, 16 have no symptoms.
* 1 'protected' person has symptoms, 7 have no symptoms.

BUT it could be early in the disease course so some may still develop symptoms.