Israel's coronavirus infection rate climbed to 5.02% Friday, as 6,083 of the 129,509 people who tested for the virus Thursday were found to have the disease.
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Over half of Thursday's confirmed cases, 53%, were identified in individuals who had been vaccinated for the disease, the Health Ministry said, while 43% of those who tested positive were unvaccinated. Two percent were in the process of inoculation, while 1% had already recovered from the virus. None of the new cases were identified among individuals who had recovered from the virus and received at least one dose of the vaccine.
According to Health Ministry data released Friday, Israel now has 44,188 active cases of the virus. There are 462 people in serious condition, the highest number Israel has seen since mid-March. Seventy-five of those in serious condition are on ventilators.
Although at least 876, 090 Israelis have recovered from the virus, 6,611 have died.
Israel now has 86 "red" localities, according to the government's traffic-light program for ranking communities according to coronavirus infection rates.
Overnight Thursday, Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash informed the heads of Israel's four healthcare providers of his decision to implement the recommendation of an expert team advising the government on the pandemic to allow Israelis aged 50 and over to receive a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Employees in Israel's healthcare system, high-risk individuals, and prisoners and prison wardens will also be eligible for the booster shot.
The government approved a third dose of the vaccine for Israelis over age 60 in late July.
At a press conference Thursday, Ash said he was concerned the outbreak was worsening despite the government authorizing new restrictions to rein in the spread of the virus.
"The number of confirmed cases is reaching new heights every day, and the situation is definitely worrying. Yesterday, the cabinet approved a number of steps, and we hope they will be effective. We must not remain indifferent to the morbidity data, and we must not be complacent. Adherence to the guidelines is essential. When we adhere to the guidelines – mask-wearing, the Green Pass, maintaining quarantine – together we can succeed in getting through this."
"Over 700,000 people over the age of 60 have been vaccinated with a third dose so far, but there is still a long way to go for this to be a success. There are a million people who have yet to be vaccinated with the first dose. Go out and get vaccinated," he implored.
"The State of Israel is a global pioneer in administering the third vaccine [dose]. That is why we want to examine the third dose for younger ages as well, and the decision will be made seriously and after much consideration."
Public Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev meanwhile has ordered increased enforcement of coronavirus guidelines by police. In a joint statement Thursday, the Prime Minister's Office and the Public Security Ministry announced police had issued 2,063 tickets to Israelis who either violated quarantine or were not wearing masks in accordance with government guidelines.
On Twitter, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned of further restrictions. "We are ramping up enforcement with all our might: In cooperation with Public Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev, we ordered an increased enforcement campaign across the country. Just yesterday, the Israel Police issued 2,064 fines [an increase of around 400% compared to the beginning of the week].
He called vaccines "the most important tool, and they are our 'Iron Dome' against the coronavirus. I am happy to see Israel's citizens are indeed taking responsibility and going to get vaccinated. But the masks and quarantines are also necessary tools to prevent the spread of the Delta [variant]. The loosening up with maintaining the guidelines threatens the health and livelihood of everyone. Getting ticketed is unpleasant, but we will continue to do so as long as necessary, for the routine, economy, and health of us all. Wear masks, adhere to the guidelines, and go and get vaccinated!" he tweeted.
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