OREANDA-NEWS. The Prime Minister of Israel announced that the country is on the verge of a state of emergency due to the detection of a new strain of coronavirus.

Discovered in southern Africa, the strain was identified in Israel from a citizen who returned from Malawi. In addition to this case, two more people who have recently returned from abroad are under suspicion.

The Israeli Ministry of Health notes that "in all three cases we are talking about vaccinated patients" and that "their immunization data is currently being verified," reports TASS.

“Now we are on the verge of a state of emergency, I ask everyone to be fully prepared and ready to work around the clock. Our main principle is to act quickly, decisively and right now. Especially with regard to entering and leaving Israel until the situation is cleared up. more information will appear, we will decide what to do, "- said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Israel has banned visits to a number of countries in southern Africa - South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini in connection with the identification of a new strain of coronavirus B.1.1.529. All returning from these countries must be isolated in hotels for quarantine. This even applies to those vaccinated with the third dose.

The scientists stated that the new variant B.1.1.529 has at least ten mutations. For comparison: Delta has only two mutations, while Beta has three.