Israel confirmed 1,400 new cases of the coronavirus for the first time since March 17, Tuesday, according to Health Ministry data. There are 63 Israelis in serious condition, 12 of whom are on ventilators.
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Medical workers performed 80,038 coronavirus tests Tuesday, for a daily infection rate of 1.6%.
Among those confirmed to be carrying the virus Tuesday, 10.5% had returned from overseas. Of the 150 people found to be positive upon returning to Israel, and 118 had been vaccinated against the disease
The reproduction rate has increased to 1.42. The record for highest reproduction rate ever recorded in Israel since the outbreak of the pandemic was 1.55 in September 2020.
While 839,430 Israelis have recovered from the virus, 6452 have died.
Over 5,749,420 Israelis have received one dose of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, while over 5,257,264 have been vaccinated with both doses.
Among those confirmed to be carrying the virus Tuesday, 10.5% had returned from overseas. Of the 150 people found to be positive upon returning to Israel,
According to Israel's traffic-light program for ranking local authorities based on infection rates, there are two cities currently designated "red," 18 "orange," and 97 "yellow."
With infections on the rise, the Health Ministry was set to demand the government reintroduce the "green pass." Canceled on June 1, the pass was a certificate issued to vaccinated people and those who had recovered and developed antibodies, allowing them to enter hotels, restaurants, and event venues.
On Wednesday, the so-called "happiness badge" restricting weddings and other events with over 100 people in attendance to those who have been inoculated or recovered from the virus took effect. Those found to be violating the more lenient pass by entering an event without a negative COVID-19 test or a green pass, while those operating events in violation of the pass will be fined 5,000 to 10,000 shekels (around $1500 to $3000).
With around 35,000 Israelis passing through Ben-Gurion International Airport several days this week, the government is also set to impose new restrictions on the tourism industry.
At this stage, recommendations include mandatory quarantine for all those entering Israel from overseas, including those vaccinated or who have recovered from the virus, as well as adding additional countries to a backlist of destinations Israelis are prohibited from visiting.
Prof. Gili Regev-Yochay, director of Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer's Infectious Diseases Unit, came out against imposing mandatory quarantine on vaccinated individuals entering the country from overseas.
"They should have at least one test added and that way we can know we haven't let a new variant in from overseas." She said, "We see a very significant difference between the period in which we weren't vaccinated and today. The vaccine works and is efficient, and we hope it stays that way."
Israir Airlines CEO Uri Siris warned: "The Health Ministry's recommendations for full quarantine for everyone will simply decimate our industry. After a year and a half that included three lockdowns and Operation Guardian of the Walls [in the Gaza Strip], we're unlikely to survive another blow like that."
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Meanwhile, healthcare providers say they are worried they will find it difficult to differentiate between cases of the coronavirus and seasonal flu. Healthcare providers ordered 2.6 million doses of flu vaccines, around half the 4.1 million ordered in 2020 in preparation for flu season. Last year saw high demand for flu vaccines, with over 3.2 million getting the jab. The remaining 900,000 doses were destroyed.
Last year, the Health Ministry prepared to deal with a combination of both the flu and the coronavirus, although no such cases were ultimately detected in lab tests. A combination flu-coronavirus could still be a burden on the healthcare system, and healthcare providers have said the ministry is not adequately prepared for flu season. Health Ministry officials have themselves admitted to being preoccupied by various coronavirus outbreaks across the country. They said they will soon release plans for contending with the flu season.
