Coronavirus

WHO authorizes AstraZeneca vaccine

World Health Organization grants emergency authorization to AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine.

Netanyahu: We'll be done with COVID if last over-50s vaccinate

PM says Israel will be first in the world to emerge from COVID crisis, no more lockdowns if last 570,000 people over 50 get vaccinated.

What will reopen on Sunday?

Coronavirus Cabinet approves next two steps of the plan to emerge from the lockdown.

Israeli doctor stresses importance of vaccinating children

Prof. Eli Somech, chairman of pediatrics at Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center, says new virus mutation affects children more than old variants

10 cases of multisystem inflammation after COVID-19 vaccine

Health Ministry to hospitals: Report to us cases of inpatients with multisystem inflammation or myocarditis occurring after vaccine.

Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef issues pandemic Purim guidelines

Rabbi Yosef issues guidelines after meeting COVID Czar, including limiting crowds at synagogues, eating only with nuclear family.

Netanyahu, Gantz agree on Purim restrictions

Restrictions to be placed on gatherings, prayer quorum sizes on Purim, festive meals to be limited to nuclear family.

Chaim Tuito captures:

34th annual HASC concert, also during COVID

Huge Hasidiic music concert took place in limited online format. Audience split into capsules according to markings and pre-registration

Anti-government protest: 'Group of criminals led by Netanyahu'

Prof. Zelicha and Prof. Yoram Yuval call to prosecute PM and leaders of the haredi parties. 'They're responsible for the coronavirus crimes'

Dr Simone Gold: 'Stop medical discrimination'

America's Frontline Doctors Founder Dr. Simone Gold spoke to Michelle Malkin.

Purim directive: Parties and processions forbidden

Purim holiday mandates presented to coronavirus cabinet includes ban on parties, holiday meal only with nuclear family, Rashbi's tomb closed

'We can't rely on vaccine certificates issued abroad'

Dr. Salmon, head of Health Min's International Dept., says those vaccinated, recovered, must quarantine after arrival in Israel.

'We won't allow lifting restrictions without opening synagogues'

MK Yitzhak Pindrus says coronavirus restrictions are still necessary, but synagogues should reopen the way cultural centers are reopening.

PM: 'Nearly 1,000 serious COVID cases, no margin for error'

At Coronavirus Cabinet meeting, PM Netanyahu urges careful reopening as DM Gantz claims new aid plan is 'election bribes.'

What is Israel's new plan for flights?

New plan to partially reopen Israel's skies requires all travelers to test twice for coronavirus.

'Reopen synagogues with green passport plan'

Ahead of Purim holiday, MK Bezalel Smotrich requests ministers support reopening synagogues to recovered, vaccinated, individuals.

WHO: Outbreak in Wuhan may have been wider than thought

Lead investigator for WHO mission to Wuhan says the mission found several signs of a more wide-ranging 2019 spread of COVID-19.

Cyprus to open to Israelis and Israel to open to Cypriots

Netanyahu meets Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades: Thank you for Cyprus' willingness to recognize Israel's vaccination passports.

How you're doing: The pandemic's impact on mental health

More people of all ages are reporting that the pandemic has affected their mental state. How do you deal with the situation?

Coronavirus Cabinet approves reopening of some schools

Coronavirus Cabinet approves updated “traffic light” plan that will allow kindergartens and schools in several cities to reopen.

Portuguese leader rips 'the Jews' for buying up COVID vaccine

Sousa e Castro calls Israel's mass vaccination program a 'historical revenge,' brags of shaking hands with Arafat. It upsets Zio-Nazis'.

Israel to begin reopening - for the vaccinated

'There won't be more lockdowns.' Malls, gyms, museums, swimming pools, hotels, cultural and sporting events to be opened to the vaccinated.

Vaccination Campaign:

'92% drop in serious COVID cases among vaccinated'

Israeli health care provider Clalit reports massive reduction in symptomatic COVID cases among vaccinated population.

'Fight against COVID lacks transparency, PR'

'Let the public see how beneficial the vaccine is and choose for themselves,' says former HMO chairman.

Rivlin: 'The vaccine is our only hope'

'Millions of people have been vaccinated and nothing bad happened to them.' Israeli president calls vaccine Israel's 'only hope'.

Condition of mothers hospitalized with COVID-19 improves

Two new mothers hospitalized with coronavirus have been reported to be improving enough to communicate, and in some cases go home.

New COVID guidelines for IDF soldiers

As the vaccination campaign continues, the IDF has rolled out new rules regarding health in the ranks.

Competitive sports to resume next week

Health, Culture and Sports Ministries agree on outline to allow sports leagues, professional and amateur, to resume.

Cultural institutions to open up next week

Culture Minister Hili Tropper and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein agree to open Israel's cultural institutions next week.

Poland worried over new COVID mutation

New outbreak feared after new COVID strain that can be easily transmitted to humans found on Mink farm in Poland.

Coronavirus Cabinet to discuss reopening of economy

Health Ministry wants to reopen malls only for people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to be tested on children

The trial will assess the "safety and immune responses" in children and young adults aged between 6 and 17.

Knesset Speaker asked to condemn MK who refuses vaccine

Shas MK writes to Knesset Speaker, demands he condemn MK Eli Avidar who has publicly declared he would refuse to be vaccinated.

'Dear vaccine refuser - please stay at home'

Yehoram Gaon, famous Israeli singer, says vaccine refusers' right not to vaccinate isn't more important than his right to live.

News analyst: 'Vaccines saved humanity'

Anyone who doesn't get vaccinated isn't taking responsibility for his own life or those of his relatives, news analyst Amit Segal says.

PM speaks with world leaders about coronavirus

PM Netanyahu holds telephone summits with other heads of state, hoping to widen Israel's medical resources.

Will malls open only to the vaccinated?

Health Ministry aims to allow malls to reopen only to those vaccinated - but expects legal difficulties along the way.

US threatens to bar El Al flights from landing

US gives Israel ultimatum, threatening to bar El Al from landing in US if Israel doesn't allow US airlines to fly into Tel Aviv.

Israel briefly reopens airport for Ethiopian immigrants

In first exception since coronavirus shuttered the airport, Israel allows over 300 Ethiopian immigrants to land at Ben Gurion.

Bloomberg: Israel brushing off calls to vaccinate Palestinians

Emphasizing unused Moderna vaccines, Bloomberg blames Israel for low vaccination rates in Palestinian Authority

Watch: Israelis in quarantine protest in support of Netanyahu

Those isolated in quarantine hotel at corner of Jerusalem's Begin highway protest in support of PM Netanyahu, facing off with leftists.

Health Ministry: 41% of Israelis received first dose of vaccine

Tel Aviv has more coronavirus cases than Bnei Brak, Health Ministry data says.

Post coronavirus fear-trauma and Aliyah

The effects of post-coronavirus fears on the current rate of Aliyah.

COVID infection rate plummets, just 4,922 new infections

Number of COVID patients in serious condition continues to fall as infection rate drops to 6.7% - the lowest level in over a month.

Bill de Blasio says he'll ensure Holocaust survivors get vaccine

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says municipality is initiating efforts to ensure that Holocaust survivors get COVID vaccine.

Netanyahu and Edelstein criticize vaccine refusers

Health Minister in closed conversation: Those who are vaccinated will go to gyms, those who do not will go to the supermarket and pharmacy.

Biden criticizes Trump, announces more vaccines

Biden accuses predecessor of not ordering enough vaccines, but says he has secured 600 million doses of vaccine by the end of July.

Report: Trump was sicker with COVID than was acknowledged

NYT: Trump had extremely depressed blood oxygen levels and a lung problem associated with pneumonia caused by the coronavirus.

Watch: Screaming Israelis pray for 'release from COVID curse'

A group of alternative medication practitioners following ancient Chinese traditions take on the deadly plague.

Bnei Brak offers free cholent as incentive to vaccinate

With less than 17% of city's residents having received 2nd-time vaccinations, the mayor devised creative method of incentivizing treatment.

German Flyers: 'Corona problem or Jewish problem?'

Flyers on tram in Cologne, Germany blame Jews for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chai Lifeline Israel half marathon is back

Sports are starting to return to our lives: for the first time since COVID-19 broke out, there will be a half marathon race tomorrow

Biden calls Chinese leader to discuss COVID-19

Chinese gov't news network reports on US Pres. Biden calling Chinese leader to wish him well, discuss topics including Corona.

Britain: People age 30-39 have highest rate of COVID infection

New report shows lockdown lowering COVID rates in Britain, young adults have highest rates of infection.

Health expert: Vaccine not dangerous for pregnant women, babies

Child development specialist Prof. Asher Ornoy says COVID more dangerous to pregnant women, vaccine does not pose health risk.

Rabbi Yitzhak Neria to bar unvaccinated students from yeshiva

Leading religious Zionist rabbi and head of Efrat hesder yeshiva says it is a religious duty to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Special budget to adapt distance learning for haredi schools

Education Ministry announces budget of 9m shekel to adapt distance learning for haredi schools.

'Yifat Shasha-Biton is dangerous to the public health'

Dep. Health Min. Yoav Kisch slams MK Shasha-Biton for refraining from expressing support for coronavirus vaccine.

'60% of private preschools didn't reopen this morning'

Heads of Private Preschools Forum slam Welfare Ministry slams 'excess bureaucracy, unclear plans,' says many questions remain unanswered.

Significant decrease in number of new coronavirus infections

Health Ministry reports drop in number of cases, percent of positive coronavirus tests.