According to Israel’s HMOs, the symptoms that characterize Corona morbidity in the fifth wave are different from those observed in previous morbidity waves, Reshet Bet radio reported Sunday morning. In the fifth wave patients report more upper respiratory problems and less lung damage. Also: fewer reports of loss of the sense of taste and smell have been recorded.
The most common symptoms associated with the fifth wave as reported by the HMOs are sore throat, headache, cold, weakness to the point of exhaustion, and muscle aches. The Clalit HMO said that among verified Omicron patients, the duration of the disease is shorter compared to previous waves. The Me’uchedet HMO said that the fifth wave saw no abnormal declines in saturation indices, and there have been fewer reports of shortness of breath.
Dr. Doron Netzer, head of Clalit’s medical department, said that the Omicron is more damaging to the upper respiratory tract and therefore the current wave of illness has seen a relative decrease in the rate of patients who needed intensive care and respiration. He pointed to another symptom typical of the fifth wave: increased night sweats.
At the same time, Dr. Netzer added, Israel is witnessing severe morbidity and mortality in older populations with risk factors, so it is crucial to continue wearing masks, air out closed spaces, avoid crowds, and most important: get vaccinated.
There were 33,374 new positive tests out of 115,904 on Saturday in Israel. Currently, there are 1,263 Corona patients in Israeli hospitals, 291 of whom are on respirators. To date, 9,139 have died of the pandemic over the past two years, and the current death rate is between 30 and 40 patients each day.
Among individuals age 60 and over, there are 396.3 unvaccinated per 100,000, compared with 34.6 with updated vaccination.
