The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 novel virus, originated in Wuhan, China before rapidly spreading around the world.
COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease, with a high rate of transmissibility. Symptoms of infection include fever, joint and muscle aches, respiratory distress, loss of the sense of taste, cognitive fog, fatigue, sore throat, and more. Senior citizens are most at risk of dying from the disease, though secondary pre-existing conditions like obesity can make some patients more susceptible to danger. In severe cases, patients undergo respiratory distress and require intubation on ventilators.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, governments have initiated several policies to prevent spread. Many countries have severely restricted flights or entry into their state, with some like Israel adopting color systems to rank the risk posed by each destination. Contact tracing has become the norm, with citizens being obligated to quarantine after they have come into contact with an infected person. Social distancing and mask mandates have also become popular in many countries to prevent spread of infection. Early in the pandemic, lockdowns were used to prevent interaction between the public, in a severe attempt to halt transmission. Perhaps most controversial were the introduction of coronavirus passports, which would allow vaccinated citizens to move freely with a new form of ID. Critics assert that coronavirus passports represent an extreme violation of liberties.
There is an ongoing debate as to the origin of the coronavirus. Initially, it was accepted that the coronavirus originated in a wet market in Wuhan, China, within bats sold as food. However, it has been suggested that the virus may have originated from a virus research lab in Wuhan.
Several pharmaceutical companies have developed innovative mRNA vaccines to counter the coronavirus. Pfizer, Biontech, Astrazeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm and others have produced vaccines, however there is ongoing debate about their efficacy against new strains of the virus. Other pharmaceutical companies have developed treatments and drugs to alleviate and combat coronavirus symptoms.
The coronavirus is prone to mutations, and has already produced several well known variants, including the Delta and Lambda strains. The pandemic and virus may also colloquially be known as corona and COVID.
TAU’s groundbreaking project has received competitive research grants from the Israel Innovation Authority and Merck under the Nofar program.
The Ministry of Health has approved Moderna's updated COVID vaccines, which target the new JN1 variant of the virus.
The coronaviruses have continued to create new strains, the latest being XEC, which can evade the immune system. Here’s everything you need to know.
Israel’s youth are in crisis. Immediate action and investment are needed for their future.
While over 90% of people experience a major traumatic event at some point during their lifetime, most walk away unscathed. Others, however, carry emotional scars for decades.
Patients who had admitted to using cannabis in the year prior to contracting COVID were 80% more likely to be hospitalized and 27% more likely to be admitted to the ICU.
The study, which took data from millions of children, finds no correlation between ADHD and COVID-19.
There is the ideal Seder in your mind and then there is the real Seder in your house with impatience, rolling eyes, spilled wine, siblings quibbling, and – yes – a lack of the children’s interest.
COVID-19 may be regarded as a disease of the past, but it’s still causing health problems.
This winter, Israelis face overcrowded hospitals, long ER waits, and high flu rates in Israel. Here are some tips on illness prevention and home care.
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