Talk about a change in approach! An expert immune system scientist in Israel in response to a new wave of severe COVID-19 cases now encourages lawmakers to “actively encourage herd immunity among the vulnerable.” That’s what Prof. Cyrille Cohen is pitching to Israel’s political class now that the number of SARS-CoV-2 cases involving patients in severe condition has hit 140 in this nation of 9.2 million. With severe cases on the rise at 70% since a week ago, health experts in this Eastern Mediterranean nation warn the situation is “unstable.” Israel is at risk again for yet another surge despite high vaccination and booster rates among the nation’s adult population.

Infections in Israel continue to rise despite near-universal COVID-19 vaccination with the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, yet much of the population now acts as if there is no coronavirus crisis left. The spread of the Omicron subvariant BA.5 reminds experts that the crisis continues to rage as some experts are suggesting that hospitals may need to prepare and open back up COVID-19 wards, reports the Times of Israel.

The Times of Israel reports that 7,313 Israelis have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by Friday according to a statement by the Health Ministry. With a reproduction number (R) of 1.31, this means COVID-19 is becoming more infectious in this heavily vaccinated state.

Hospitalizations are on the rise, but thankfully not deaths as of yet. By June 14, the seven-day average for daily hospitalizations due to COVID-19 was 509 according to Our World in Data.

TrialSite has been reporting on breakthrough infections in Israel since last summer when at least some hospitals counted more vaccinated COVID-19 patients than unvaccinated. As reported by Reuters, enough doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to give two doses to 120% of the Israeli population.

Nearly 70% of the nation is currently vaccinated.

Expert Opinion: Like Portugal's Situation

Professor Cyrille Cohen with Bar Ilan University recently informed Ynet news that the data suggests a very active COVID-19 virus circulating the nation, declaring, “The real indication is the number of patients in serious condition because we know much of the morbidity is not detected as people don’t go and get tested, and that should also be taken into account.”

Professor Cohen continued, “The thing that determines the policy is not necessarily the number of confirmed patients but the condition of seriously ill patients. We need to understand whether they are experiencing the disease in a more severe way — and whether we will need to get ready to reopen COVID wards this summer.”

Cohen likened the Israeli situation to Portugal where the universally vaccinated population was ravaged by SARS-CoV-2 infection recently, as reported by TrialSite.

Commenting on the situation in Israel, Professor Cohen emphasized to lawmakers, “We need to realize that’s going to happen here as well,” he said, urging lawmakers to take action. “It’s an unpredictable and unstable situation regarding COVID. It will take months and even years before there is a significant decrease and we reach a more predictable scenario. But one must also be careful with making estimations.”

He continued in a statement that “actively encourages herd immunity among the vulnerable and older population” by “calling people who haven’t received the vaccine and encouraging them to get it.”

Cyrill Cohen also suggested Israelis start wearing masks again when they travel in public spaces and places.

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