A case of “Florona” infection or the simultaneous infection of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and influenza was detected in a pregnant woman in Petah Tikva, Israel on Saturday, Jan. 1.
Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the first Florona patient is unvaccinated for both flu and COVID-19. She went into labor and was sent to the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva.
Professor Arnon Vizhnitser of the Rabin Medical Center noted that the woman did not exhibit severe symptoms and is expected to be released by Thursday, Jan. 6.
"She was diagnosed with the flu and coronavirus as soon as she arrived. Both tests came back positive, even after we checked again... the disease is the same disease; they're viral and cause difficulty in breathing since both attack the upper respiratory tract,” said Vizhnitser.
Israel’s Health Ministry is currently examining the infection. It also warned that there may be others infected with Florona who remain undiagnosed.
According to the World Health Organization, Florona is not a new COVID-19 variant such as the Delta and the Omicron variant and that while it is possible to catch both flu and COVID-19 at the same time, vaccination is the most effective way to prevent Florona infection.