New Coronavirus Strain Found in 11-Year-Old in Israel

A new variant of the coronavirus, AY.4.2, has been discovered in Israel. This was diagnosed in an 11-year-old child who had arrived from Moldova. It was previously reported that this mutation is spreading in the UK and could be up to 15% more contagious than the Delta variant.

The child is currently isolated and has not come into contact with anyone since arrival, according to the country's health ministry. As reported by i24 television, the child returned to Israel from Moldova.

Just a day before, it was revealed that the AY.4.2 strain had begun to spread in the UK. This new variant now accounts for nearly 10% of COVID-19 cases in the country, according to the Financial Times, citing scientists.

The mutation may be 10-15% more contagious than the Delta variant, which is dominant worldwide. At the same time, according to the WHO, the Delta strain itself exceeds the transmission rates of the original coronavirus variant discovered in China at the end of 2019 by twofold.

“The AY.4.2 variant certainly deserves close attention. If 8-10% of COVID-19 cases in England are associated with this variant, it indicates potential for further spread,” said Alexey Agranovsky, a virologist and professor at Moscow State University.

However, it remains to be seen how much more contagious and dangerous the new infection is for people, he added.

“Currently, there are about 50 derivatives of the original Delta strain, but none of them have become more competitive due to changes in certain properties,” the expert stated.