"We are once again in a very dangerous situation as far as the pandemic outbreak is concerned. According to the new infection data, we have gone back to 800-900 [new] infections] a day, and the infection rate is already above 1[%]," a Health Ministry official told Israel Hayom on Tuesday.
"This could very quickly lead to an accelerated, widespread, and difficult outbreak of the pandemic that could drag us into a situation in which we will be obligated to implement new restrictions and a lockdown already in Hanukkah and maybe even earlier," the official said.
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"It's true that we are now at the height of the reopening of the market and the education system, but while this opening has been slower than the rushed exit we saw after the first lockdown, it is faster than what the Health Ministry sought and demanded after the second lockdown. Unfortunately, ministry heads are giving in, in complete contrast to what they say in internal meetings. The Health Ministry warned in advance that opening up too quickly would result in a renewed increase in coronavirus rates, and we are seeing that now with our very own eyes."
In recent days, Health Ministry officials have held talks aimed at consolidating steps to help prevent the spread of the virus despite the easing of restrictions announced by the so-called "coronavirus cabinet" earlier this week. In addition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tasked the National Security Council with presenting recommendations for stopping the increase in infection to the cabinet.
Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein are said to be concerned that the minor steps they have taken to roll back restrictions have already led to an increase in infection.
Meanwhile, new research out of California's La Jolla Institute for Immunology indicates people who recover from the coronavirus remain immune for a period of at least eight months. Researchers believe the antibodies for the virus remain in the body for decades.
While not peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, the institute's research is the most extensive to be carried out on the subject of immune memory of the coronavirus thus far. The research findings indicate that although some of the antibodies for the coronavirus disappear in the first few months after infection, the key B- and T-cells "remember" the virus and are able to fight it in the long-term. Researchers also noted the possibility that repeat infection with the coronavirus could be related to infection from stains that had undergone mutation, although the body would still find it easier to fight these mutations. According to the report, once everyone is vaccinated, the virus will basically disappear.
There are currently 8,343 Israelis sick with the coronavirus, 320 of whom are in serious condition. Of those in in serious condition, 129 are on ventilators. So far, 2737 have died from the virus.
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