Coronavirus

Coronavirus kills 96 in one week

Health Ministry: Average of 7,500 new coronavirus cases diagnosed daily, nearly 150 in critical condition.

Six children hospitalized with post-coronavirus inflammation

By June, 103 Israeli children had been reported hospitalized post-coronavirus with PIMS. Six more have been hospitalized in the past week.

PM Bennett: If we get vaccinated now, we can avoid a lockdown

'It's in arm's reach, but we're not there yet, we're at the peak of the battle at this very moment,' PM Bennett says.

Business owners fume at new coronavirus restrictions

Business owners fume at requirement to test children 3+ for COVID-19. 'Rapid tests are a nice idea but who runs a country like this?'

Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook isn't to blame for vaccine hesitancy

Data shows those who use Facebook as primary source of information are more likely to refuse COVID vaccine.

Travelers to Uman to test before boarding plane home

Minister Matan Kahana presents plan to allow hasidim to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. 'This year, there will be no discrimination.'

Fox News: Employees must input their vaccination status

Fox News updates its COVID-19 protocol, requires employees to input their vaccination status.

'The virus is changing rapidly and spreading fast'

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz on South American variant of the coronavirus: I hope we are able to isolate the cases.

Bennett to get 3rd vaccine shot tomorrow

Prime Minister calls on all Israelis over 40 to receive booster shot after Health Min. lowers minimum age requirements.

Israelis over 40 to receive COVID booster shot starting Sunday

Health Ministry vaccination committee unanimously recommends providing booster shots to people over 40 as data shows increased protection.

Singapore sentences Briton to six weeks for not wearing mask

A Singapore court sentenced a British citizen to 6 weeks in prison for repeated violations of COVID rules and threatening public servants.

Dangerous new COVID strain found in Israel

Health Min. reports 10 cases in Israel of AY3 COVID strain, a more virulent offshoot of the contagious Delta variant.

Fines for synagogue sextons if coronavirus rules are violated

Knesset committee approves fining synagogue sextons who do not enforce coronavirus rules. MK Kariv: 'Everyone deserves protection.'

COVID ward doctor presents the ultimate response to anti-vaxxers

'Have you ever seen someone drowning? That's exactly what it looks like,' a doctor fighting for lives of coronavirus patients says.

IDF Intelligence: Third dose vaccine highly effective

Vaccinated individuals significantly less likely to pass coronavirus to those outside their homes, Military Intelligence Directorate says.

'Synagogue isn't more dangerous than a theater with hundreds'

No difference between flights to Uman and to USA, or between synagogues and theaters, coronavirus coordinator for haredi community says.

Intel Israel offers $250 incentives to employees to get vaxxed

Intel employs 14,000 people in Israel. Incentive will also be paid to those already vaccinated.

Israel passes 'threshold' for lockdown

With no lockdown in sight, Israel passes 600-severe-cases lockdown threshold.

'If there is a lockdown, I'll go to synagogue'

Education Ministry failed to adequately prepare for the start of the haredi school year, MK Meir Porush says.

Avraham Fried to Arutz Sheva:

When I sing, it's a soul connection & that's hard over Zoom

'Without an audience, it's hard to get the special energy, the ecstasy, but I thank G-d for allowing me to perform via other means.'

Israel may open booster dose to those over 30 - next week

Health Ministry estimates: Booster vaccines for those over 40 today, and for those over 30 next week.

PA official: COVID-19 situation is getting worse

PA health official warns of worsening COVID-19 situation amid the spread of the Delta variant.

WHO criticizes wealthy countries over booster shots

WHO condemns wealthy countries for providing booster shots while millions around the world have yet to receive one dose.

Bennett: We can beat Delta strain, get vaccinated

PM Bennett says lockdown is weapon of last resort against spread of COVID, calls on citizens to get the vaccine to prevent a lockdown.

US to give vaccine booster shots starting in September

People who were fully vaccinated first will be the first to be eligible for 3rd vaccine doses starting September 20.

Leading rabbi: Treat vaccinated coronavirus patients first

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow: If situation is not urgent 'there is room to prioritize a vaccinated patient over one who refused.'

Three police officers quarantined following car accident

Police officers are called to scene of car accident - and then sent into quarantine.

MK Sharren Haskel: Children die from COVID too

New Hope MK supports vaccinating children in schools though she admits they'll be under emotional pressure to consent.

'Embarrassing to speak about vaccination rates in Arab sector'

Meretz's Arab MK, Esawi Frej, says vaccination rates in Arab sector are 'embarrassing,' emphasizes school must be in-person.

Another 7,832 coronavirus cases: 'We're banking on the vaccines'

Over 100 coronavirus patients intubated, number of coronavirus deaths reaches over 6,700.

Emergency plane evacuates Israeli COVID patients from Iceland

Special rescue plane carrying doctors and medical equipment evacuated infected Israelis stranded in Iceland.

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel: Anyone not vaccinated violates Jewish law

'He may not enter the synagogue to pray; it is forbidden to allow him to remain if he does enter.'

New coronavirus restrictions go into effect

As of Wednesday, children ages 3-12 must test negative for coronavirus before entering many public spaces, attending social events.

New Zealand on lockdown after 1 case of COVID-19

The island nation's Prime Minister said she wanted to ensure her country took measures before things got out of hand.

Will Texas have enough storage space for all the dead bodies?

With the governor telling residents they don't have to implement COVID measures, local officials requested trailers for more dead bodies.

UK approves Moderna vaccine for 12-to-17-year-olds

UK's health regulator approves Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for use in children aged 12 to 17 years.

Texas Governor tests positive for COVID-19

Texas Governor Greg Abbott tests positive for COVID-19 and currently experiencing no symptoms, his office announces.

Attorney General preparing order to overrule Education Minister

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's order would allow vaccines during school hours over objections of Minister Shasha-Bitton.

Experts warn of 1,000 new COVID deaths by end of September

Hebrew University experts who advise the cabinet, correctly predicted 4th wave warn that severe cases are high among the unvaccinated.

These are the guidelines for High Holiday prayers

World Synagogue Organization issues guidelines for safe High Holiday prayers. Among the guidelines: Entry only for those thrice-vaccinated.

Rambam hospital director: Gov't demanded that we drop standards

Dr. Halbertal describes gov't determination to avoid lockdown at all costs, hospitals ordered to absorb thousands of serious cases.

New high: 8,646 new coronavirus cases

Over one million Israelis receive third dose of coronavirus vaccine as number of new cases continues to rise.

Coronavirus czar: 'Delta variant challenges the vaccines'

'Hope is not a working plan, we haven't yet seen a change in trend,' coronavirus czar Prof. Salman Zarka says.

Schools to reopen according to new outline

Program includes weekly COVID-19 testing, new guidelines governing quarantine.

'Previous lockdowns were justified but now they can be avoided'

Former Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health: A lockdown should only be imposed if we get to an extreme scenario.

Pfizer submits data for US approval of third dose

Pfizer and BioNTech submit clinical data as part of effort to seek authorization for a third vaccine dose.

IDF begins administering third dose of COVID-19 vaccine

IDF Medical Corps to administer third dose to medical staff over the age of 30 and IDF servicemen aged 50 and over.

Rabbi Chaim Amram Ifergan from Kiryat Ata dies from COVID-19

Rabbi Chaim Amram Ifergan, 72, had been hospitalized at Rambam Hospital in Haifa for the last week.

Hospital director: 'A lockdown won't change anything'

Dr. Michael Halberthal, head of Rambam Health Care Campus, says worst coronavirus cases are among unvaccinated, lockdown won't do anything.

Australia rabbis condemn violations of coronavirus lockdown

An illicit engagement party roils Australian Jews as new COVID-19 outbreak extends lockdown.

Study: Physiological factors can predict mental health

Bar-Ilan University study: Pre-pandemic physiological data can predict mental well-being during COVID-19.

Justice Minister: Lockdown should be a last resort

Justice Min. Gideon Sa'ar urges adolescents to get vaccinated before start of school year, says lockdown should be 'a last resort.'

New dangerous COVID variant on the way, say gov't experts

Health Ministry preparing hospitals for "1000 seriously ill patients within weeks."

Top Chabad rabbi: Don't enter synagogue unvaccinated

Rabbi Yitzchak Yehuda Yaroslavsky, leading Chabad rabbi, says unvaccinated forbidden to enter synagogues, public places.

Health Ministry: 6% of coronavirus tests are positive

Nearly 130 coronavirus patients in critical condition, 5,075 new cases diagnosed, Health Ministry says.

Hundreds of children ages 5-11 received the coronavirus vaccine

Across Israel, 500 high-risk children have received the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine - with no unusual side effects.

US could offer COVID-19 booster shots this fall

Health care workers, nursing home residents and other older Americans would be the first to receive booster shots.

Poll: 50% of population support delaying start of academic year

52% think festival lockdown unnecessary. 55% of those polled either somewhat or extremely unhappy with PM's handling of situation.

New COVID regulations for events halls

Halls to remain open to avoid forcing events underground; can operate up to 75% capacity or 500 people max.

Israeli hospital official declines 3rd dose for 'moral' reasons

"There are countries where people have yet to receive a first dose," explains Prof. Dan Turner.