Coronavirus

Israel and South Korea sign COVID-19 vaccine agreement

Israel will provide 700,000 expiring doses of Pfizer vaccines to South Korea, in exchange for an identical number of doses ordered by Seoul.

Bennett mulling reinstating restrictions following virus surge

As the rampant delta-variant wreaks havoc on an already-scarred population, Bennett said to be considering return to health safety measures.

Health Ministry: Vaccine efficiency drops to 64%

Health Ministry tracking finds effectiveness of vaccine against infection drops to 64%, but effectiveness against hospitalization is 93%.

Poll: Nearly half of Republicans don't plan to vaccinate

New poll shows Americans' decision to vaccinate splits largely along party lines.

'Enforce mask-wearing in enclosed spaces'

Prof. Galia Rahav, top professor at Sheba Medical Center, warns Israel must enforce mask-wearing, encourage vaccines, to avoid new outbreak.

'It's either vaccines, or masks and quarantine'

'Only long-term, stable solution is the vaccine,' Weizmann Institute professor says.

Director of Israel's largest hospital infected with COVID

Prof. Yitshak Kreiss infected with coronavirus. 'The people around him have tested negative,' says hospital. 'He will work from home.'

Health Min.: Percentage of positive coronavirus tests hits 0.7%

Nearly 70 hospitalized as percentage of positive coronavirus tests hits 0.7%, Health Ministry says.

'Vaccine less effective against Delta variant'

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine seems to be 60-80% effective at preventing infection by Delta variant, Hebrew University's Prof. Nadav Katz says.

Fauci: 99.2% of COVID-19 deaths were unvaccinated people

Dr. Anthony Fauci: About 99.2% of recent deaths from COVID-19 were unvaccinated people.

Iran reimposes COVID-19 restrictions

Iran orders closures of non-essential businesses in 275 cities, including Tehran, amid concerns over Delta variant.

Biden: The best defense against variants is to get vaccinated

Biden celebrates the United States' near "independence from" coronavirus, calls on public to get vaccinated.

Coronavirus Cabinet to rule on new COVID restrictions this week

'Just a matter of days until green pass system returns,' say Coronavirus Cabinet officials.

Third vaccine dose planned for vulnerable populations

Studies show people with underlying health issues don't have sufficient immune response to provide protection.

Where's Lightfoot? Memes of Chicago mayor go viral

Social media abuzz with memes of Mayor Lightfoot sternly enforcing the city's 'stay-at-home' order.

Fmr. Health Min.Dir: 'This is not a 4th wave, vaccinate teens'

Former Health Ministry Director-General expresses optimism on fight against COVID despite spread of Delta variant.

Nearly 2,400 active cases of coronavirus in Israel

Number of coronavirus patients in serious condition rises to 31, with nearly 60 people hospitalized.

Johnson & Johnson says vaccine works well against delta variant

Johnson & Johnson says its COVID-19 vaccine works well against variant first discovered in India.

Israel records 210 new cases of COVID-19

This is the fifth day in a row in which Israel has recorded over 200 new cases, according to the Ministry of Health.

Health Ministry: We must return to 'green pass' system

Following spread of Indian variant of COVID, Israeli Health Ministry pushing for reinstating vaccine passport system.

Researchers call to drop mask requirements for kids

CO2 levels five times higher for children wearing masks, even for short periods of time, new study finds.

Report:

Pfizer rejects Israel's request to extend vaccines beyond July

Israel will have to throw out hundreds of thousands of vaccines which are nearing their expiration date.

2 Republican lawmakers liken COVID measures to Nazi laws

State Rep. Jim Walsh of Washington wore a yellow star in a speech about COVID laws.

Netanyahu calls on government to begin issuing 3rd vaccine doses

Opposition leader says Israel should move up date of beginning of 3rd vaccine doses by a month since length of effectiveness is unknown.

Families of deceased COVID patients demand commission of inquiry

Families point to lack of transparency, faulty treatment. 'They made patients sign off on experimental medication.'

Number of new coronavirus cases tops 300

Health MInistry reports 307 new coronavirus cases as number of patients in serious condition continues to rise.

Shaked: If cases increase, we'll consider cancelling flights

Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked visits Ben Gurion Airport, comments on increase in cases of COVID-19.

Couple who tested positive for coronavirus danced at hotel

Couple who tested positive spent three days at Dead Sea hotel, Health Ministry warns.

Travelers from high-risk countries to fly into Terminal 1

Transportation Min. Michaeli plans to separate flights arriving from high-risk countries, send them to separate terminal, report says.

Rise in percentage of positive coronavirus tests

As number of new coronavirus cases continues to rise, two more coronavirus patients see their condition turn serious.

Kim rebukes officials following 'grave incident' in COVID fight

North Korean leader replaces several senior officials after "grave incident" in the country's efforts to defend itself against coronavirus.

'We'll ban flights to red countries'

'No one should get on a plane headed to a red country,' PM Bennett says.

Israelis attempting to fly to Russia are removed from plane

Border supervisors identify Israelis attempting to board flight to blacklisted country, remove them from plane.

Nearly 300 new coronavirus cases diagnosed in one day

As number of new coronavirus cases continues to rise, over 14,300 Israelis receive their first dose of the vaccine.

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky backs call to vaccinate children over 12

Senior haredi rabbis endorse call by their personal physician urging parents to vaccinate children over 12 against COVID.

Delta variant strikes worldwide

Indian 'Delta' variant spreading as countries fight to raise vaccination rates.

Watch: Russians don't realize they're getting 'wrong' vaccine

Many Russians complaining the vaccine they signed up for was swapped for another without their knowledge or consent.

Bennett: It is a crime not to get vaccinated now

PM says vaccine supply will begin to expire on July 9, making it impossible to get both shots afterwards.

Israelis traveling abroad to affirm they'll stick to rules

Health Ministry to require Israelis to affirm avoidance of maximum risk countries.

Watch: Australian cities deserted as new variant strikes country

Several cities have imposed total lockdowns as as new coronavirus cases emerge across Australia.

Health Ministry: 145 new coronavirus cases

Over 13,400 receive first dose of coronavirus vaccine, as 145 diagnosed with coronavirus.

'We're in a race against time - go get vaccinated'

PM Bennett urges adolescents to vaccinate against coronavirus: 'It'll protect your health, prevent you from missing out on summer vacation.'

Luxembourg Prime Minister tests positive for COVID-19

Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel suffering from mild symptoms and will self-isolate for 10 days.

Ministers astonished by punishment proposed by Shaked

Interior Minister proposes banning isolation violators from leaving the country for a year. Other ministers: Proposal is disproportionate.

Coronavirus Cabinet decides: No new restrictions

Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and National Security Council will formulate plans to open school.

Bennett: No new restrictions over the summer

PM calls on public to get vaccinated. 'We will promote masks instead of restrictions, and vaccines instead of lockdowns.'

115 COVID diagnoses yesterday, Tel Aviv declared yellow city

COVID Czar says fewer restrictions will be imposed if increase in cases does not lead to serious illnesses and hospitalization.

Shaked's new sanctions on quarantine violators

Interior Minister seeks to ban people who violate quarantine after returning from abroad from leaving Israel for the next year.

Iran's Supreme Leader receives COVID-19 vaccine

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei receives single dose of locally made COVIran Barekat vaccine.

Israel mulling additional COVID restrictions

Government considering reducing gatherings and a testing obligation for non-vaccinated individuals.

Vaccine inventor: Israel missed COVID jab's cardiotoxicity risks

'Government not being transparent about vaccine risks,' says doctor who invented the mRNA technology used for COVID vaccines.

Today At Noon:

Israel reimposes mask mandate

Just days after abolishing mask mandate, Israel reimposes indoor mask requirement.

Health official: 'No surprise' that fully-vaxed can be infected

Ministry official says no sign that vaccine is losing efficacy. "If we do find that, we'll recommend a third dose."

Biden: Delta variant a 'serious concern'

US President urges public to get vaccinated, cites concerns over “dangerous” delta variant.

Education Minister: COVID case numbers are being inflated

Yifat Shasha-Biton: Elements in health system perpetuating the hysteria in order to accelerate children's immunization project.

US life expectancy fell 2 years during pandemic

Study finds US suffered largest drop in life expectancy since World War 2 due to effects of COVID pandemic.

Indoor mask mandate to be reimposed next week

Coronavirus Czar Prof. Nachman Ash recommends public begin wearing masks indoors now even before mandate is reinstated.

Israeli town declared 'red' for first time in months

Binyamina now a 'Red Town' following outbreak of Delta variant. Mask mandates expected to return.

FDA confirms link between vaccines & heart inflammation

CDC presents data showing 32-fold increase in heart inflammation among adolescent boys following Covid-19 vaccination.

Official: Half of new Covid-19 cases were fully vaccinated

Despite data, government is launching expanded campaign to vaccinate everyone over 12.