Israel's current infection is 6.3%, according to Health Ministry data, as 3,041 of the 50,020 people who tested for the coronavirus, Sunday, were found to be infected with COVID-19.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
There are currently 39,640 active cases of the virus, 838 of which are serious. Of those in serious condition, 275 are on ventilators.
Around 4.4 million Israelis have received their first dose of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine; nearly 3 million have received both doses.
According to a military task force report on the coronavirus outbreak, the downward trend in morbidity rates is continuing, but the rate of infection remains high.
"Every infected person is infecting less than one other person on average, and that is a sign of a decline in the pandemic's spread," according to the task force report. "Nevertheless, the infection rate (at a weekly average of around 6.5%) continues to be relatively high."
According to the report, while not in decline, Israel's reproduction rate has remained stable in recent days.
Coronavirus chief Nachman Ash said on Sunday that a coronavirus variant originating in Uganda has been found in the country, without giving further details, The Times of Israel reported.
"We are still not sure of its clinical impact," he said.
Nachman Ash reminded the public "the pandemic is not yet behind us" and urged Israelis to avoid large gatherings during the Purim holiday" which will take place on Thursday evening.
He warned a spike in coronavirus cases after Purim would lead to the return of restrictive measures or even a fourth lockdown. "Half of the population is still not immune," he said.
He noted that prayer services in accordance with the guidelines were allowed, "but large meals … and parties are totally forbidden. They pose a threat to our health."
Health Minister Yuli Edelstein noted his ministry had received reports of people organizing Purim parties online and that a 35% increase had been seen in alcohol sales. "The atmosphere right now is one of progress and opening, also of a large part of the education system, of gyms. Right now, the reports we're receiving are not encouraging, and that is why at the government meeting, we will consider what we'll do in a state of lockdown."
He said, "We want to allow people to feel the holiday, eat with their family, and hear the megillah [read aloud], but to avoid parties, carrying on, and drinking with everyone. We're looking for the middle road."
Asked about reports Israel would run out of Pfizer vaccines, Edelstein said that if they do run out, residents who want to be vaccinated would receive Moderna's vaccine. "There's no need for manipulations. We're continuing to vaccinate. There's no need to worry. We are acting to vaccinate everyone to open the market and cultural events up more," he said.
According to the health minister, once 5 million Israelis have been inoculated for the virus, Israel would switch to Moderna's vaccine.
"It's the same vaccine with results that are just as good. I don't understand the panic," he said.
As for reports Israel would provide other countries with vaccines, Edelstein said, "We are not transferring vaccines, certainly not Pfizer's, to any country. There have been a lot of reports on that, but we will not see a situation in which vaccines go to other countries or other people at the expense of Israel's citizens."
Noting 2.6 million Israelis were eligible for a certificate of vaccination, he said, "More and more people understand that vaccination saves lives. Go get vaccinated!"
Israel reopened swathes of its economy including malls and leisure facilities on Sunday, with the government saying the start of a return to routine was enabled by the country's vaccination campaign that saw almost half of the population inoculated for COVID-19.
Shops were open to all. But access to gyms, hotels and theatres was limited to people with a "green pass": those who have had both doses of the vaccine more than a week prior, or recovered from the disease with presumed immunity.
Pass-holders could prove their status by presenting a vaccination certificate or downloading a Health Ministry app linked to their medical files.
The health minister also commented on the decision by a number of cities to bring students in grades 7 to 9 back to schools in violation of the Health Ministry's guidelines, which would have seen them return to in-person learning on March 9.
Edelstein said, "If they're all professors of epidemiology, they can explain what they're doing. I propose they obey the law and the guidelines. No one gave them the right to put their residents at risk when they were elected."
He noted, "I have a child at home this age. I understand the frustration. You can always find people who don't want to maintain the guidelines and want to be populists. The guidelines were written in blood. I say very clearly to local authority heads: Behave responsibly."
Over 75% of new cases confirmed over the weekend were among individuals aged 39 and under, suggesting Israel's early focus on inoculating the elderly was finally paying off.
The Claims Conference and first responders at United Hatzalah, meanwhile, joined forces to ensure all of Israel's 11,000 homebound Holocaust survivors are vaccinated for the virus. As part of the campaign, the Claims Conference will donate 5 million shekels (around $1.5 million) to pay to transport survivors to and from vaccination centers.
Following the death of a 32-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child from the virus, Sunday, the Health Ministry reiterated its recommendations pregnant women get the vaccine. It noted there has been no evidence of any harm to either pregnant woman or babies as a result of the vaccine. It said women who were at high risk for COVID-19 should get vaccinated in the first trimester, other pregnant women could wait till their second or third trimester to get the jab.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
