Coronavirus

1 in 73 haredi Israelis over age 65 has died of coronavirus

Israeli report finds significantly more haredi elderly died of COVID-19 than their counterparts in other sectors.

Purim: Capsules in the synagogue, festive meal at home

Health Ministry aims to tighten coronavirus restrictions prior to Purim holiday in order to reduce COVID-19 fallout from large gatherings.

IDF closes COVID-19 ward at Rambam

During month of ward's operation, about 200 were treated there, marking first time military doctors treated civilians.

The future is bright for kosher restaurants

The pandemic has devastated restaurants. Surprisingly, most kosher ones have weathered the storm. Opinion.

How do haredim repair their relations with fellow Israelis?

Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer on the coronavirus and rethinking the relationship between haredim and Israeli society.

Teva in talks to produce COVID vaccines

Teva chief says company in talks with COVID-19 vaccine makers to co-produce some shots.

Dani Dayan: Netanyahu blames everyone else

New Hope candidate criticizes government conduct in the coronavirus crisis.

Joel Kotkin thinks about God and the pandemic

Joel Kotkin assesses what’s happening in American religious culture today as the pandemic continues to take its toll.

Vaccines in the US: 'So far it looks like a failure'

Who's to blame? The balance between federal government and individual responsibility in vaccine rollout.

Coronavirus Czar: No Purim celebrations this year

Prof. Nachman Ash says there will not be public celebrations of Purim as about a quarter of Israelis have received their first vaccine dose.

Gantz continues to promote 'green pass' for vaccinated people

Justice Minister, Attorney General speak to quickly formulate legal position ahead of government discussion of green pass policy tomorrow.

WHO recommends AstraZeneca vaccine

WHO panel releases interim decision saying Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine should be used even with questions over South African variant.

Unvaccinated? You could be barred from going to work

Health Minister announces bill which will allow employers pressure workers to vaccinate, by preventing the unvaccinated from coming to work.

W.H.O. investigation into origins of virus comes up empty-handed

Representatives of a World Health Org research group claimed low likelihood of COVID-19 originating in Wuhan, provided no new insights.

Health Minister:

'The government is a mess'

Health Minister Edelstein has lost patience with the government's behavior in cabinet meetings.

Number of seriously ill COVID patients falls below 1000

Infection rate drops below 8% for first time in nearly a month as the number of hospitalized patients in serious condition falls below 1000.

35-year-old pregnant woman in critical condition from COVID-19

This is just one in a string of high-profile COVID cases in pregnant mothers and children.

Malls and hotels to open in defiance of COVID rules

A growing percentage of Israel's businesses are declaring their intention to reopen in defiance of government guidelines.

Eli Lilly's COVID treatment gets emergency use authorization

Eli Lilly’s combination therapy of two antibodies helped cut the risk of hospitalization and death in COVID-19 patients by 70%.

Coronavirus cabinet sets new conditions for entry to Israel

People have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 will be required to provide proof of test conducted 72 hours before entry.

Ministers approve: Schools to gradually reopen

From Thursday, studies will resume in kindergartens, grades 1-4 and 11-12 in green and yellow cities and in some orange localities.

PM: Don't believe fake news, get vaccine and save your life

Prime Minister visits Clalit Health Fund in Arab city of Zarzir to convince citizens to get vaccinated for coronavirus.

WHO: COVID came from bats, not lab

World Health Organization inspectors in China say coronavirus likely passed from bats to another animal before infecting humans.

7,761 new COVID cases diagnosed as infection rate stabilizes

3.54 million Israelis have received first dose of COVID vaccine, compared to 2.16 million who have received second dose.

Unexpected intruder takes over cockpit of Israeli plane

A cat was able to make its way onboard the cockpit of an Israeli plane, making a mess before being 'escorted' off.

Coronavirus Cabinet to rule on school reopenings today

Ministers to deliberate on plan to reopen preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools through fourth grade.

Yeshiva deans urge students to get COVID vaccine

Haredi rabbis urge yeshiva students to get vaccinated in order to return to regular Torah studies

Texas Congressman dies after contracting COVID-19

Rep. Ron Wright tested positive for COVID-19 on January 21 and had been hospitalized in recent days.

PM to developers of Israeli COVID medicine: 'Huge initiative'

Prime Minister meets with project managers developing coronavirus cure: 'This little thing can change the fate of humanity.'

Health system: No school reopening this week

PM, ministers meet with health system leaders to discuss reopening education system, but no date set for government meeting on issue.

Schools will not open tomorrow

PM, ministers decide not to open schools tomorrow following consultations with experts on spread of British COVID mutation.

1% of haredi people over age 60 died of COVID

Prof. Eran Segal of the Weizmann Institute publishes data showing higher death rate among haredi, Arab sectors than among general population

Tel Aviv opens vaccination center for illegal infiltrators

Working with Ichilov Hospital, Tel Aviv municipality opens vaccination center, offering illegal infiltrators free vaccinations.

400% rise in number of children diagnosed with coronavirus

Number of children testing positive for coronavirus rises 400%, leading to concerns about reopening schools.

'Open synagogues with Green Passport plan'

Ahead of the Purim holiday, World Synagogue Organization calls on Israeli government to reopen synagogues, ensure public health.

Health Ministry fumes over rabbi's anti-vax videos

Health Ministry fights to remove videos after rabbi claims doctors 'changed the name from flu to corona.'

'Other public buildings can be used as classrooms'

Prof. Itamar Grotto, a senior Health Min. official, says he is 'beating his chest' for not finding solutions for schools.

Vaccine drive to target yeshivas

Health Ministry begins new vaccine drive targeting yeshiva students ahead of Passover vacation.

Lockdown may continue if vaccination rates don't rise

Health Min. Director-General warns of continued lockdown if vaccination rates remain low.

South Africa suspends rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine

Move comes after a small clinical trial suggested the vaccine only offers limited protection against the South African variant.

Education Minister to parents: I apologize, health is important

Education Minister addresses parents after cabinet meeting, apologizes for the fact that schools will remain closed a little while longer.

No agreement reached on reopening of schools

After a lengthy debate, cabinet fails to agree on outline to reopen schools, meaning the plan to reopen on Tuesday is in question.

Thousands gather for Rabbi Wosner's funeral

Thousands accompany the sage to his final rest.

Why didn't the Health Ministry vaccinate haredi students?

A plan to have haredi yeshiva students vaccinated was inexplicably brought to a halt.

'Incompetent' Chicago mayor blames Trump for teachers' strike

Bill O'Reilly says he doesn't know who's worse: Chicago's Mayor Lightfoot or NYC mayor DeBlasio.

Watch: Israel easing lockdown as vaccine drive takes effect

PM Netanyahu credits vaccination drive with reduced infection rate as businesses reopen, Israel cancels some Covid lockdown directives.

2 women in serious condition with COVID after giving birth

Hospitals say more young patients are being hospitalized with COVID, including 2 women who gave birth, a pregnant woman, and a teenage girl.

Committee undecided on further easing of regulations

Pfizer's COVID vaccine 'likely 90% effective for the elderly,' says

Bnei Brak rabbi, Rabbi Chaim Meir Wosner, dies of COVID at 82

Dean of Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin and rabbi of Bnei Brak's Zichron Meir neighborhood dead at 83 after being infected with coronavirus.

New Israeli treatment cures 97% of COVID patients

A treatment produced at a Tel Aviv hospital cured 29/30 COVID patients & may finally provide solution to Corona crisis.

Shopping malls open against government guidelines

Despite the remaining restrictions, several large retail chains are open for business.

Ben Shapiro: No point in masks, social distancing post-vaccine

Ben Shapiro laughs off safety measures now being considered by US administration - the same ones enforced in Israel.

Israeli actor who contracted COVID-19: This is no joke

Israeli actor Aviv Alush urges his followers on social media to follow the guidelines, wear a mask and not to gather in large numbers.

Lockdown relief begins Sunday at 7:00 a.m.

The 1,000-meter distance limit will be lifted, and some workplaces will reopen. Schools will remain closed until Tuesday.

AstraZeneca vaccine limited against South African variant

British drugmaker says its vaccine appears to offer only limited protection against the South African variant of COVID-19.

Schools to remain closed until Tuesday

Committee for managing coronavirus approves changes to flight restrictions, extends school closures to Tuesday.

Bennett: Regev, Netanyahu, responsible for 3,000 deaths

Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett slams PM Netanyahu, DM Gantz, & Transportation Min. Regev for allowing mutations into Israel, 3,000 deaths.

Health Minister: Some schools will reopen on Tuesday

Health Minister Edelstein says Israel may be headed for 'very problematic situation,' yet some schools may reopen this week.

Antwerp: School staff strike over lack of coronavirus testing

Non-Jewish faculty at Antwerp haredi Orthodox school strike over parents’ failure to test kids for COVID-19.

Herd immunity? Vaccine may not protect against new variants

Researcher at Bar Ilan U. says results of virus vaccinations don't provide sufficient info on whether treatment can stop spread of virus.