In Israel, the KP2 variant is less common than in the US, while the KP1 variant has not been identified. The most common variant in Israel currently is KN2, which was found even before the discovery of the new variants.
On the other hand, in the USA, the KP1 strain has been spreading, but hospitalizations due to this strain are relatively low. The spread rate of the KP2 strain is also low. Common symptoms of these strains include cough, runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste and smell, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headaches, and digestive disorders.
The updated vaccines against the Omicron variants are believed to be effective against these new strains as well. Experts note that while there may be slight variations in symptoms between different coronavirus strains, overall they remain similar.
It is crucial for health authorities to continue monitoring and updating strategies to combat the virus effectively. According to genetic sequencing results by the Ministry of Health in Israel, the JN1 variant and its descendants are the most common in Israel, accounting for approximately 97% of the sequences. Within this percentage, the KP2 variant makes up about 4.7%, with the KP1 sub-variant being less common. There have been no changes in the ministry’s policy regarding coronavirus at this time.
