Coronavirus

Fauci: Gatherings unsafe even for those who got booster

Top US infectious disease expert: Early evidence says Omicron is less severe than Delta, but we must remain cautious.

FDA authorizes Pfizer's COVID-19 pill

Pfizer says the drug, administered in a pill called Paxlovid, reduces risk of hospitalization and death by up to 90%.

Harris tests negative after staff member contracts COVID-19

VP Harris comes in contact with staff member who tested positive for COVID-19, but tests negative herself.

Israeli study: Booster increases COVID-19 antibodies by 40 times

New research by Assuta Ashdod shows booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine significantly increases antibody levels in immunocompromised patients.

Israel's first Omicron death - was actually not Omicron-related

Health Ministry says elderly man who died Tuesday and was labeled 'first Israeli Omicron death' - actually had Delta variant, not Omicron.

Trump 'surprised' after Biden thanks him

Former President says he is "very appreciative" and "surprised" that Biden thanked him for making vaccines available to the public.

UAE reports highest daily COVID-19 caseload in months

UAE reports 452 new cases in 24 hours, a number not seen in the country since mid-September.

AstraZeneca to produce vaccine for Omicron

Oxford university and AstraZeneca begin work on Omicron-targeted version of their coronavirus vaccine.

Biden presents plan to fight Omicron

Plan includes free rapid tests, pop-up vaccination sites, and hundreds of new people to administer vaccines.

Cabinet decides: Some students will learn from home

Ministers approve Green Pass in all stores, and Purple Pass in malls. Studies in orange and red localities will be limited.

Finance Minister: 'No place to limit number of people'

'No place to limit gatherings, it takes us straight to the world of compensation,' Finance Min. Liberman says.

PM Bennett: To all those eligible, go and get your 4th shot

Following epidemic taskforce's recommendation to offer another booster to vulnerable groups, PM orders preparations to be made.

PM Bennett: 'We cannot prevent this wave of COVID-19 infections'

'The alternative is between restrictions and preventive measures now, and much harsher measures later,' PM Bennett says.

FM Lapid: 'Virus doesn't care about your religion'

Foreign Min. Lapid joins virtual meeting to discuss Omicron, emphasizes, 'If virus doesn't care' about religion, 'neither should we.'

US, foreign leaders hold virtual meeting to discuss Omicron

Ministers discuss initial scientific findings, efforts to accelerate end of COVID-19 pandemic.

Elderly man becomes Israel's first Omicron death

Israel's first Omicron death is elderly man who turned down booster dose, report says.

NYC offers $100 cash for COVID booster recipients

Mayor de Blasio presents the plan as the way to "get through these challenging weeks and avoid lockdown."

Ministers approve capping in-office workforce at 50%

Ministers approve 50% physical presence in government and public sector workplaces.

Defense Minister: Prepare for 5,000 new COVID-19 cases daily

DM Gantz orders Home Front Command to expand activities of coronavirus headquarters.

Expert: 'Fourth dose should be considered'

Prof. Eran Segal, adviser to Coronavirus Cabinet, warns of 'two doublings a week, and conflicting reports regarding virulence.'

46 new Omicron cases confirmed in Israel

Total number of Omicron cases reported in Israel rises to 221, with 775 more suspected cases of the variant detected.

200 kids infected with COVID by unvaccinated teachers

200 school students infected with COVID in Ma'ale Adumim after exposure to teachers without Green Pass. 25 students infected with Omicron.

COVID rates spike as Israel weighs new restrictions

Ministry of Health announce: 1,306 people tested positive with corona over the last day, as the government struggle to reach conclusions.

Ministers balk at plans to limit unvaccinated at gatherings

Ministers push back on Health Ministry bid to limit the number of unvaccinated in indoor spaces to 20, outdoor spaces to 50.

Trump reveals he got a booster shot

Former President reveals during event in Dallas that he received a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine.

US records first death from Omicron

Unvaccinated Houston man in his 50s with underlying health conditions dies from Omicron variant.

White House staffer tests positive for COVID-19

US President tests negative for COVID after having close contact with White House staffer who subsequently tested positive.

Government mulling restrictions on gatherings

Bennett holds consultation on the continued dealing with the Omicron strain of COVID-19.

CDC: Omicron accounts for 73% of US COVID-19 cases

CDC says Omicron is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the US.

Health Minister: If you don't want long COVID, get vaccinated'

Health Min. Nitzan Horowitz warns Omicron 'gaining amazing speed,' pace of vaccinations is 'insufficient.'

Over 1,000 new cases of coronavirus, infection coefficient rises

Around 75% of seriously ill coronavirus patients completely unvaccinated, Health Ministry data shows.

Expert: 'Too early to talk about lockdown'

Prof. Itamar Grotto, former top Health Ministry official, says 'too early' to talk about lockdown, Netherlands is 'playing game from 2020.'

Top health expert: 'I oppose mandatory vaccination'

Prof. Sigal Sadetsky, head of public health services, warns Israelis must not be complacent. 'Unfortunately we are before the storm.'

Israel bans travel to US, Canada

Ministers vote to red-list multiple countries, including US and Canada, banning travel starting Tuesday.

Iran detects first case of Omicron variant

Iran has wrestled with the worst outbreak in the Middle East of COVID-19, with dozens of top officials having fallen ill.

Fauci warns of 'bleak winter' due to Omicron

Dr. Anthony Fauci cautions against too much optimism over Omicron's severity.

Two US Senators test positive for COVID-19

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker announce they have tested positive for COVID-19 in breakthrough cases.

Report: Lapid opposed Green Pass, Bennett backed down

Lapid's opposition reportedly surprised Bennett and caused him to back down from the move.

Sarah Palin vows never to get a COVID shot: 'Over my dead body'

Palin, who recovered from COVID this spring, cited previous statements by Dr. Fauci that natural immunity is sufficient.

Omicron Variant:

Bennett: Time is running out - vaccinate your kids now

Prime Minister Bennett warns of 'fifth wave' of the coronavirus, lamenting 'rapid spread' of Omicron variant.

Jewish schools, synagogues in NYC going remote again

As number of coronavirus cases in New York spikes amid spread of Omicron variant, synagogues and Jewish schools are going remote - again.

New Knesset regulations in light of Omicron's spread

Cafeteria take-out only, gym closed, tours & events canceled... all in the hope that essential functions will be able to continue.

Israel mulls travel ban to United States

After Israeli consulate staff in New York tests positive for COVID and amid spread of Omicron variant, Israel mulls travel ban to US.

Naftali Bennett: Time is running out, the fifth wave is coming

PM at cabinet meeting calls on all citizens to be extra vigilant in light of Omicron variant's increased transmissibility.

Was there an Omicron outbreak at IAC Florida conference?

Many attendees at Israeli-American Council conference diagnosed with COVID after event.

Health Minister: We will consider fourth dose for elderly

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz says Israel could consider a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for the elderly population.

Egypt detects three cases of Omicron

Three Egyptians test positive for Omicron variant on their return from overseas.

Lapid meets activists as PM cancels reception

After PM cancels reception with foreign journalists, Foreign Minister posts about meeting with Yesh Atid activists.

Popular singer claimed: 'Coronavirus is flu'

In censored segment, singer Mordechai Ben David claims 'coronavirus is flu,' says it's 'Pfizer's money mill.'

Health Ministry: Reinfection more common among unvaccinated

Interim results show positivity rate for COVID-19 tests reaching over 1%.

Likud MK: Personal safety of Israeli citizens is at all-time low

'I don't want to imagine the disasters that FM Lapid's term as prime minister will bring,' Likud's MK Edelstein says.

Israeli PM cancels New Year's reception

Government New Year's reception is canceled at the last minute due to coronavirus outbreak.

Education Min.: 'I'm not a coronavirus minister'

'Large amount of false information has been spread,' Education Min. Shasha-Biton claims.

Israeli government to discuss banning travel to most countries

PM Bennett warns: 'Any minister who votes against action now will bear responsibility for the outbreak.'

Netanyahu exposed to COVID-19 carrier

Opposition leader enters quarantine after being exposed to Knesset trainer who tested positive for COVID-19.

Bennett, ministers agree on 'tightened' purple pass in malls

"Tightened" purple pass will apply in malls and closed commercial areas, based on an occupancy ratio of 1:15.

Top doctor: 'I am in favor of closing the borders'

Prof. Galia Rahav, top doctor at Sheba Medical Center, warns Omicron 'spreading in an exponential fashion.'

US to become a 'red' country next week?

Those foreigners holding entry permits should move flights up if possible, former MK Dov Lipman warns.

COVID-19: Two unvaccinated children in serious condition

Only two people under 20 currently in serious condition were not vaccinated, Health Min. data shows.

CDC panel recommends mRNA vaccines over J&J

CDC panel votes to give preferential recommendation to vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna over Johnson & Johnson due to blood clots.