Coronavirus

New US COVID-19 travel policy to go into effect next month

White House: New policy requires foreign travelers to prove vaccination; only certain vaccines acceptable.

Arkansas Governor supports employer vaccine mandates

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson defends employers mandating that employees get a COVID-19 but opposes federal and state mandates.

Israel almost at 8,000 COVID-19 deaths

16 people have died from COVID-19 since the weekend, only three of them vaccinated. In the last month, 453 patients have died.

In 1st since July, less than 1000 new coronavirus cases

Weekend dip registers three-digit number of new coronavirus cases; number of hospitalized patients remains stable.

Requirement to scan bar code on Green Pass goes into effect

Starting Sunday, the Green Pass will need to include an encrypted bar code. This Green Pass will be valid for only six months.

76% of COVID-19 carriers in Israel are unvaccinated

2,080 people diagnosed over the weekend as positive for COVID-19. 382 people are hospitalized in serious condition.

FDA delaying decision on Moderna vaccine for adolescents

FDA delaying decision on authorizing Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents.

FDA advisers recommend Johnson & Johnson's booster shot

Outside advisers to Food and Drug Administration vote unanimously to recommend a second shot of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine.

Coronavirus positivity rate lowest since mid-July

Nearly 200 coronavirus patients in critical condition, over 160 intubated, Health Ministry says.

Survey shows NY Jews suffered less than other populations

Survey: Jewish New Yorkers’ employment, mental health suffered during pandemic.

Is the end of the COVID czar post coming?

Prof. Salman Zarka has informed his associates that he will step down if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to decline.

FDA panel recommends Moderna booster

Panel of expert advisers to FDA votes 19-0 to recommend booster shots of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for Americans aged 65 and older.

Masks, Green Pass expected to remain as fourth wave ends

Government to deliberate on Israel's reopening to tourists, reductions on COVID restrictions - though masks, Green Pass likely to remain.

US land borders to reopen - but only to the fully vaccinated

Non-essential travel will be permitted to Canada & Mexico, in line with recent changes to air travel regulations. Europe may follow suit.

Ashdod hospital closes coronavirus ward

Over 400 coronavirus patients in serious condition, nearly 170 intubated, Health Ministry says.

Likud MK threatens to refuse vaccine mandate

'Health Ministry is inciting against the unvaccinated,' says MK, suggesting he himself may refuse to get COVID jab.

Education Ministry hiding coronavirus infection rates?

Last year, data on coronavirus infections in schools was published daily, & there was clear information on the number of infected children.

Health Ministry cancels quarantine requirement for caregivers

Israel's Health Ministry cancels requirement for vaccinated parents to quarantine child tests positive for coronavirus.

White House to governors: Start preparing to vaccinate children

Biden administration purchases 65m pediatric doses of coronavirus vaccine, instructs states to begin preparing to vaccinate children 5-11.

COVID infection rate falls to lowest level since July

Just 1,793 new cases of COVID on Tuesday, with 1.7% of tests coming back positive as number of hospitalized patients continues to decline.

Argentina begins vaccinating children 3-11

Argentina administers Chinese coronavirus vaccine to children ages 3 and up. 'By the end of the year, everyone 3 and up will be protected.'

Corona fiasco in Israel

Some policy has been excellent, especially the Pfizer vaccine story, including ordering the 3rd dose. But other things were botched. Op-ed.

FDA scientists: Moderna did not meet all criteria for boosters

Scientists at FDA say Moderna has not met all of the agency's criteria to support use of booster doses of its COVID-19 vaccine.

Fewer COVID hospitalizations, seriously ill patients

2,323 new cases of the coronavirus diagnosed Monday as infection rate inches up - but number of hospitalized patients continues to fall.

New coronavirus variant on its way to Israel?

'We'll need to see if the new variant is dangerous to us,' Health Min. Director General says.

Chabad rabbis: 'Get 3rd dose of COVID-19 vaccine without delay'

Chabad rabbinical court publishes letter demanding hasidim follow updated Health Min. instructions, receive 3rd dose of coronavirus vaccine.

'Israel on its way out of the fourth wave'

'We could have taken steps which would reduce infections, but the decisions were made,' says Health Min. Director General.

AstraZeneca reports positive results in COVID-19 treatment trial

AstraZeneca says its COVID-19 drug achieved significant reduction in severe COVID-19 or death in non-hospitalized patients.

Texas Governor bars vaccine mandates

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issues executive order barring all COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the state by any entity.

Brazil's President 'bored' by questions on COVID-19 death toll

Jair Bolsonaro tells reporter he does not want to be "bored" with questions about 600,000 COVID-19 deaths in his country.

Sharp rise in number of children hospitalized with PIMS

Over 35 children hospitalized with PIMS within less than two weeks.

Booster dose provides young people with 17x the protection

New data published by Israel's Health Ministry shows booster dose highly effective at preventing infection among young people.

Steady decline in COVID cases, number of seriously ill patients

Just 1.88% of COVID tests returned positive, as number of seriously ill patients continues to fall.

Girl, 7.5, suffers severe post-coronavirus symptoms

Seven-year-old girl in serious condition after mother infects her with coronavirus. 'I even read on Google,' mother says.

Elderly yeshiva dean dies of coronavirus

Rabbi Avraham Erlanger, one of the heads of the Kol Torah Yeshiva, dies of coronavirus in Jerusalem.

Expert: Important to get vaccinated against the flu as well

Prof. Nadav Davidovitch of Ben Gurion University: There is no problem with getting both COVID-19 and flu vaccine together.

Health Min. data: Majority of severe illness in unvaccinated

Number of coronavirus deaths tops 7,900, as number of new cases continues to drop.

Shortage of tests may delay early release from quarantine

'Green classroom' plan goes into effect, allowing students to test instead of quarantine when classmate is diagnosed with coronavirus.

Republican gubernatorial candidate has COVID-19

Allen West, candidate for Republican nomination Texas governor, receiving antibody injections after being diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Number of COVID patients in serious condition rises

Positivity rate and coefficient of infection continue to fall, but number of serious cases rises slightly.

16-Year-old dies of Post-COVID syndrome

Boy dies after suffering Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome as a result of coronavirus infection.

CDC advisers to discuss Moderna, J&J booster doses

Independent advisers to CDC will meet later this month to make recommendations on booster doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson's vaccines.

COVID infection rate falls to three-month low

Number of seriously ill coronavirus patients continues to decline as infection rate drops to three-month low.

Next week: Pilot for end of quarantine in 'green' localities

Students who come in contact with COVID-19 carriers in green cities will be permitted to attend school following series of tests.

Infant in serious condition due to coronavirus complication

Six-month-old infant suffering from post-COVID inflammatory syndrome is transferred to Sheba to allow hookup to an ECMO machine.

Pfizer requests emergency authorization for children 5-11

Pfizer and BioNTech request FDA issue emergency authorization to allow children ages 5-11 to receive their coronavirus vaccine.

Saliva test for COVID to be trialed in Israel

If new test is validated, it will enable faster screening - just 45 minutes until results are obtained.

New Israeli study demonstrates importance of booster shot

Study showed antibody levels dropping sharply soon after 2nd shot, then decreasing more gradually.

Green pass cancelled in restaurants and open spaces

Coronavirus Cabinet approves cancellation of green pass in open spaces, in restaurants and in indoor swimming pools.

Israeli study: Myocarditis extremely rare after COVID-19 vaccine

Study by Beilinson Hospital and Clalit Research Institute finds myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccine is rare even among young men.

Pfizer scientists: Natural immunity better than our vaccine

'Alternate treatments pushed aside over money.' Scientists involved in development of Pfizer vaccine say natural immunity likely superior.

Has COVID 4.0 ended? We'll know by next week

Prof. Nachman Ash notes continued drop in cases, credits booster shot campaign.

PM decides: No quarantine for students in green areas

As COVID numbers continue to drop, Bennett wants to see "an end to this period of uncertainty and peace of mind for parents."

New study:

'Substantial' risk of long-term disease in COVID survivors

Study tracked over 6 million people using U.S. Veterans Affairs database, focusing on heart disorders.

Watch: Protesters clash with police over COVID passes

WARNING: Graphic violence

Watch: Anti-vaxxer protesters trash NYC testing center

A group protesting NYC's vaccine mandate attacked a COVID-19 testing station in Union Square.

CDC cites Jewish camps as proof camps can be COVID safe

CDC report highlights Camp Ramah network's success with clamping down on COVID this summer in new report.

Johnson & Johnson asks FDA to authorize booster shots

Johnson & Johnson asks FDA to authorize booster shots of its COVID-19 vaccine for people over the age of 18.

Cabinet to approve easing of green pass limits as of next week

Prime Minister to ask ministers to allow restrictions to be lifted on outdoor attractions, open-air restaurants and indoor swimming pools.

Israel in talks to purchase Merck COVID pill

Studies find Molnupiravir pill halves chances of dying from COVID. Treatment costs $800 per patient.