Since the coronavirus pandemic reached Israel in early 2020, nearly a million Israeli have contracted the virus, the Health Ministry reported Monday morning.
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The total number of confirmed COVID cases in Israel since March 2020 stood at 994,615. A total of 919,840 Israelis have contracted the virus and recovered, although that number does not reflect the last effects some patients suffer.
As of Monday morning, 6,830 COVID patients in Israel have died of the virus.
The 104,699 COVID tests processed in the previous 24-hours period yielded a 6.31% positive rate.
As of Monday, there were 67,801 active or symptomatic COVID patients in Israel. Of the symptomatic cases, 1,142 were hospitalized. The hospitalized patients include 670 listed in serious condition, of whom 162 were in critical condition, with 108 on ventilators.
On Sunday night, Israel's public hospitals warned that starting Monday, they would no longer be able to admit COVID patients due to a lack of beds, resources, and staff.
Since Israel launched its vaccination campaign in December 2020, 5,445,567 Israelis have received the original two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, while 1,482,503 Israelis have received a booster shot since the third jab was approved in July. Sixty percent of Israelis age 60-69 have rolled up their sleeves for the booster, and close to 80% of Israelis age 70-79 have received the booster shot. The percentage of Israelis age 80-89 who have received booster shots stood at slightly more than 65%.
The percentage of Israelis age 40-49 who have received the COVID booster shot has yet to reach 20%, and only a tiny percentage of Israelis age 30-39 have gotten the booster.
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Meanwhile, on Monday Prime Minister Naftali Bennett posted a video to his Twitter page in which Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who has frequently been critical of Bennett's handling of the COVID crisis, appears.
Addressing the public, Bennett said that Israel could overcome the current outbreak and that if people continued to be vaccinated, observe mask regulations in public, and "behave responsibly," the nation would be able to celebrate Rosh Hashana with their families rather than in lockdown.
While Bennett is speaking, the video shows Israelis from all sectors – Jewish and Arab, secular and religious – wearing masks while outside and being vaccinated. The video also features high-ranking officials, including Bennett himself as well as Netanyahu, being vaccinated.
On Sunday, the Corona cabinet approved in principle COVID vaccinations at public schools, should there be a need. However, that approval in contingent on at least 50 parents of students in a given school giving approval for the school to call in a mobile vaccination unit.
A few days ago, Health Ministry Director-General Professor Nachman Ash signed a directive allowing vaccinations in schools during school hours, if parents provide written consent. Starting Tuesday, vaccination campaigns at schools in the Haredi sector – whose school year begins in August – kicked off.
Noam Dvir contributed to this report.
