Over 57,000 coronavirus tests processed in Israel from Tuesday to Wednesday confirmed 5,523 new cases, a 9.9% positive rate. The number of cases is now doubling every 10 days.
As of Wednesday morning, 1,153 coronavirus patients were hospitalized nationwide, 535 of whom were listed in serious condition. Of the patients listed in serious condition, 138 were on ventilators.
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An additional eight coronavirus patients succumbed to the virus on Tuesday, bringing the total death toll to 1,147 since the start of the epidemic in Israel.
There were 42,862 active or symptomatic patients.
A total of 166,794 Israelis have contracted the virus since the start of the epidemic here.
A Health Ministry report issued Wednesday stated: "In the past two weeks, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of cases nationwide, both among the general public and in the Haredi and Arab sectors."
The report went on to say that the rise in the number of patients listed in serious condition (some 24%) is an additional parameter for the spread of the virus, and was creating a burden on the health care system.
A report from the National Coronavirus Knowledge and Information Center said that in addition to the large number of tests being processed, the positive rate has also risen to some 10%: "it is clear that there is a rise in the number of cases and this is not a rise that reflects more testing."
The center pointed out that there has been a "significant" increase in the number of cases identified among teenagers (14-19), which the center said was likely attributable to the start of the school year.
Meanwhile, the Corona cabinet decided in a phone vote on Wednesday to act on the recommendation of the Health Ministry and national coronavirus coordinator Professor Ronni Gamzu to close schools starting Thursday. The decision does not apply to special education.
Originally, schools were supposed to close on Friday.
The cabinet also decided to close down hotels and bed-and-breakfast accommodations during the lockdown, which is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Friday. Restaurants will be able to deliver food, but will not be allowed to sell takeaway.
The ministers also decided to permit bereaved families to visit the graves of loved ones killed int eh 1973 Yom Kippur War.
The framework will be presented to the Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee on Thursday for approval.
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