A total of 169 new coronavirus patients have been diagnosed over the last day and the number of active cases stands at 2,607, according to data released by the Health Ministry Monday night.
The death toll stands at 298. 15,127 Israelis have recovered from the disease so far.
During the meeting of the government's 'Coronavirus Cabinet' Monday, the Health Ministry again demanded the closure of the education system following the spread of the virus in schools. One official told Kan News: "It's best to close now and open in a capsule format." The ministers opposed this position and the proposal was rejected.
Earlier Monday government froze plans to gradually lift restrictions put in place at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, following an uptick in the number of new reported coronavirus infections.
On Monday, the government’s coronavirus cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, met to discuss what measures to implement following a recent spate of coronavirus outbreaks across the country.
“We’re pulling up on the emergency handbrakes by [cancelling] the easing of restrictions, because of the increase in infections,” said Netanyahu Monday.
During the meeting, ministers voted to freeze plans to lift additional restrictions until the full extent of the surge in coronavirus infections can ascertained.
However, no restrictions already lifted will be reimposed at this time.
Among the restrictions which were to have been lifted were limitations on the size of public gatherings, and a lifting of the ban on train travel.
At the same time, it was decided that 63 schools and kindergartens will return to school during the coming week.
These are educational institutions whose students and teachers were put in isolation according to Health Ministry immediate steps after detection of school or preschool infection, in addition to their immediate closure.
Currently, there are 385 students and teaching staff infected with coronavirus. 135 educational institutions have closed. 17,605 teaching staff and students are in preventative isolation. These schools have moved to remote study to continue their schooling as much as possible.