Israel recorded the first case of ‘florona’ disease, a double infection of COVID-19 and influenza, Arab News said on Thursday. As per reports, it is said to be a major breakdown of one’s immunity as both the influenza virus and SARS-Cov-2 enter the body at the same time.
The first case was recorded earlier this week in a pregnant woman who was admitted to the Rabin Medical Centre to give birth. According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the young woman was not vaccinated for both viruses.
What is florona?
It is the occurrence of flu and coronavirus at the same time which has been under study. It is not a new variant.
Israel administering fourth vaccine shots
Israel’s national health providers began administering fourth vaccine shots against COVID-19 on Friday to individuals with compromised immune systems.
The Health Ministry’s Director-General Nachman Ash okayed the boosters for immuno-suppressed people due to the Omicron infection wave, so long as at least four months have passed since their third shot, Time of Israel reported.
On Friday morning Ash also approved vaccines for elderly patients at geriatric facilities. The ministry said this was done “due to concerns of outbreaks at such facilities, and the risk to the health and lives of residents,” the publication said.
The country is currently experiencing a new wave of infections fueled by the transmissible omicron variant. As per the data from the Health Ministry, nearly 5,000 new cases were diagnosed on Thursday.