Two Israeli doctors, who have received three doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, have tested positive for the Omicron strain, according to the medical centre where they work.
A spokesperson for the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv said the first of the doctors is a physician who returned from a medical conference in London in the past week.
They added that he was in contact with a second doctor, around age 70, who has also now tested positive for coronavirus.
The hospital said in a statement on Monday that “the doctor is vaccinated with three doses of the coronavirus vaccine, his condition is mild and he is improving,” adding that he does not need any medical attention.
The second doctor, also a cardiologist, was likewise fully vaccinated.
Israel has already confirmed one case of the Omicron variant, with seven more 'suspected' cases.
On Saturday, its government unveiled plans to ban all foreigners from entering the country, having already identified cases on home soil.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the ban would last for 14 days, if the proposals are approved.
Meanwhile, children aged 11 and under will now be exempt from the new Covid testing rule for arriving into Ireland, a Government spokesman has clarified.
The Government has made the move as there is still a lack of detail on the transmissibility of the Omicron variant or its impact on vaccines.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed to the Irish Mirror that the testing rule will apply to people travelling to and from Great Britain but not Northern Ireland.
It will be reviewed in two weeks’ time, Cabinet sources have confirmed.
