A total of 7,686 new cases of the coronavirus were diagnosed across Israel Sunday, according to data provided by the Health Ministry Monday morning, down from 10,183 new cases reported a day earlier.
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The percentage of tests returning positive dropped from 6.57% Saturday to 5.24% Sunday, marking the lowest level recorded since August 13. The figures marked a significant decrease from the soaring numbers recorded over the weekend, in both the positive rate and the case numbers.
Saturday's count of 10,183 new cases had left many concerned about rising infection rates, despite the accessibility of booster vaccines. Israel removed age limitations on the third doses, making them available to all ages. Researchers have predicted a drop in severe cases with the implementation of health regulations and further circulation of COVID shots.
Experts have anticipated a decline in cases with Israel's third vaccine rollout, and the numbers seem to indicate a trend along that line.
A recent upset to this pattern took place following an influx of ultra-Orthodox pilgrims visiting Uman, Ukraine. According to Population and Immigration Authority data, 152 returnees tested positive for the virus by Friday morning.
In response, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vowed full criminal charges against individuals found to be using fake test results to enter Israel.
Israeli cybersecurity firm Check Point informed police on Sunday of the existence of a Telegram group offering to sell false-negative tests to the pilgrims.
According to Check Point, the "COVID Vaccination Certificates/Covid Tests" group has been operating since June and has been offering "negative COVID tests for those returning from Uman" in recent weeks for 100 shekels, around $31.
Check Point forwarded the information to the Lahav 433 fraud-fighting unit of the Israel Police so that detectives could identify the group's operators and prosecute them, according to a report in Globes.
There are now 80,759 known active cases of the virus across Israel, including 1,114 hospitalized patients with COVID.
Since the pandemic began, 1,178,933 confirmed cases of the virus have been reported.
The number of seriously ill patients fell from 711 on Sunday to 691 Monday morning. Of those, 256 are in critical condition, with 187 are on respirators.
Thus far, a total of 7,384 coronavirus-related fatalities have been recorded across Israel, including 13 COVID-related deaths Sunday and one reported on Monday.
Nearly two-thirds (64.99%) of Israelis have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, compared to 59.66% who have received at least two doses, and 30.86% who have received three doses.
Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, the head of public health services at the Health Ministry, said over the weekend that the majority of Israeli patients most seriously affected by COVID-19 are unvaccinated.
"It is important to stress that the critically ill patients currently in hospital are not vaccinated for the most part," Alroy-Preis said in an interview with Channel 12 News on Saturday.
She noted in particular that two-thirds of the 175 patients currently on life support are unvaccinated.
Alroy-Preis also indicated that 90% of the 27 patients connected to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machines at the time of the interview, the majority of whom are under the age of 60, were not vaccinated.
"It's about saving lives, not how many of you get the virus," Alroy-Preis said, addressing the 850,000 Israelis who have decided not to get the vaccine. "You are putting yourself in danger," she added.
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Also on Monday, Magen David Adom and the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel announced the rollout of additional rapid coronavirus (antigen) test kits to parents ahead of the return to school following the holiday season.
The process will be similar to that which preceded the start of the school year: Parents will arrive at set locations to pick up the test kits, and they will test their children before classes resume.
Haim Bibas, the federation's chairman, said: "I am sure that the authorities' willingness to join this national effort will help ensure students' safe return to school and allow the continuation of a fruitful school year."
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
