The newly uncovered subvariant of the Delta variant of coronavirus, known as AY.4.2., appears to be slightly more contagious but not more deadly than the original strain, the Health Ministry said.
The ministry reported that while initial research into the subvariant indicate it is 15% more contagious than the original Delta variant, it does not appear to be more deadly or vaccine-resistant.
Israel's first case of AY.4.2 - first identified in Britain back in September - was discovered last week in a child who came back to Israel from a trip to Moldova.
Health officials said that to date, only six cases of AY.4.2 have been detected in Israel, and no signs of its spread within the country have been observed.
Although experts do not believe the strain is currently particularly concerning, they are monitoring its development.
In a recent technical briefing, the UK Health Security Agency said this subvariant currently accounts for 6% of all COVID cases detected in the country, and is "on an increasing trajectory."
The Delta variant remains “by far the most dominant variant in terms of global circulation," Maria Van Kerkhove, World Health Organization COVID technical lead, said during a public session this week.
"Delta is dominant, but Delta is evolving," she explained, noting that the more the virus circulates, the more likely it is to mutate.
Republished with permission from i24NEWS