Coronavirus

Health Min. official:

'Drop in number of coronavirus cases slowing, but still a drop'

New subvariant is not Deltacron, but a mix of the two Omicron strains, Health Min.'s Prof. Nachman Ash says.

Second Gentleman tests positive for COVID-19

Husband of Vice President Kamala Harris tests positive for COVID-19. Harris tests negative but will not attend event at White House.

Health Min. official 'disturbed' by spreading Omicron subvariant

'Coronavirus is not really over, there are around thousands of new cases,' Health Min.'s Prof. Nachman Ash says.

Coronavirus in Israel: Infection coefficient continues to rise

Infection coefficient nearing one as Israelis anticipate celebrating Purim, then Passover.

'We're not worried about a new coronavirus wave'

Dr, Orly Greenfield, head of Israel's COVID-19 education program, warns Israelis not to become complacent. 'We must continue to be careful.'

New COVID-19 strain found in Israel, infection wave feared

Health officials are fearful of a new wave of infections after a novel variant of the COVID-19 virus was detected in Israel.

Cost of coronavirus tests for incoming travelers to drop

Significant savings on the horizon for those arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport, Health Min. Horowitz promises.

Coronavirus czar:

'Worried about Purim, hope the infection coefficient won't rise'

'It would not be right for anyone to get sick right now,' says Israel's coronavirus czar, Prof. Salman Zarka.

Pfizer CEO:

'Fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be necessary'

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says fourth dose will be necessary to keep hospitalizations manageable and sicknesses more mild.

Obama tests positive for COVID-19

Former US President announces he tested positive for coronavirus. His wife, Michelle, tested negative.

Israeli officials fear sixth COVID-19 wave

Ministry of Health officials concerned about the rising rate of infection.

'Zero COVID' China reports sharp rise in virus cases

Hundreds of neighborhoods locked down as authorities admit failures & "insufficient understanding of virus."

Holocaust survivor: History repeating itself in North America

Vera Sharav, survivor and president of the Alliance For Human Research Protection: 'By being obedient, you allow the dictators to flourish.'

Netanyahu tests positive for COVID-19

The former premier says he is feeling well.

In first since January:

24 hours pass with no reported COVID-19 deaths

COVID-19 infection coefficient shows slight rise, number of intubated patients continues to drop.

Knesset rolls back COVID restrictions - but extends mask mandate

Mass testing of students to end, and quarantine requirement to be ended in nearly all cases. But mask mandate to remain.

Less than 500 COVID-19 patients in serious condition

Number of hospitalized coronavirus patients continues to fall, as number of ECMO patients rises slightly.

CDC:

Most of US population in areas where masks aren't needed

Some 93% of the US population live in locations where people no longer need to wear masks indoors, says CDC.

Rise in number of COVID-19 patients on ECMO machines

Unvaccinated at significantly higher risk of serious illness from coronavirus, Health Ministry data shows.

COVID-19 pandemic:

Number of new cases stabilizes, but remains high

Number of serious COVID-19 cases drops, while number of new cases continues to hover around 10,000 dailly.

House to lift mask mandate ahead of State of the Union

The moves comes after the CDC eased its mask recommendation for most Americans.

Shin Bet chief tests positive for COVID-19

Israel Security Agency chief Ronen Bar feels well and continues to work from home.

BBYO holds largest Jewish gathering since the COVID pandemic

Over 3,000 teenagers from 40 countries attend largest Jewish gathering since the beginning of the pandemic.

Number of serious COVID-19 cases drops to below 700

Health Min. stats show rise in number of intubated COVID-19 patients, but drop in number of seriously ill.

Infant who contracted COVID-19 removed from ECMO machine

Condition of one-year-old placed on ECMO machine due to COVID-19 complications improves.

Poll: Trump expands lead over Biden in 2024 rematch

Fewer Americans fear coronavirus, new poll shows, as Republicans open up wide lead over Democrats ahead of November midterms.

Infant girl becomes Hong Kong's youngest COVID-19 victim

Eleven-month-old girl had good past health, was in stable condition until one day before her death.

Just 6 US states have recovered from COVID-19 unemployment

Despite a rebounding GDP, 88% of US states are still grappling with high unemployment rates.

Number of severe COVID-19 cases falls

Health Ministry reports lowest number of serious coronavirus cases since late January, 300 COVID-19 patients in critical condition.

Health Min. official:

'Omicron wave isn't over, numbers still higher than other waves'

Prof. Nachman Ash, Health Min. Director General, warns, 'Omicron causes mild illness, but number of serious cases is high.'

British PM:

'Time to learn to live with the virus'

Britain to drop all COVID restrictions - including quarantine for those infected with the virus.

Iran returns COVID vaccines manufactured in the US

Iran’s Supreme Leader banned the country from importing American vaccines last year.

Israel's COVID death toll passes 10,000

Israel reaches grim milestone 2 years after COVID reached its borders. Over 1,000 have died so far this month.

Rabbi Chaim Druckman on COVID diagnosis: This will pass:

Leading religious Zionst rabbi says he is breathing well, hopes for speedy recovery after being diagnosed with COVID.

Finance Min. 'totally fine' with over 1,000 deaths in a month

Finance Min. Liberman says 'totally fine' with number of COVID-19 deaths, justifies: 'Every year 350-360 people will die in car accidents.'

Omicron numbers still high: 17,658 new cases

Over 770 COVID-19 patients in serious condition, as 30.2% of COVID-19 tests come back positive.

British PM to announce plan to scrap COVID restrictions

British PM Boris Johnson to repeal any pandemic requirements that impinge on personal freedoms.

Israel ends ban on unvaccinated tourists, school COVID tests

After two years of strictly limiting entry to non-citizens, Israel to open its doors to most tourists - regardless of vaccination status.

Top Religious Zionist rabbi infected with COVID

Rabbi Druckman is 89 years old, and is currently being treated at home.

Queen Elizabeth contracts COVID

95-year-old British monarch reportedly feeling fine after testing positive for the coronavirus.

BioNTech CEO:

'World is better prepared to deal with future variants'

Head of BioNTech: The virus will mutate further, but the world has a better understanding on how to deal with it.

Bennett: Omicron wave is breaking

PM says his government's polices protected citizens from COVID while ensuring record economic growth, green pass ending.

PM Bennett: Omicron wave is breaking

Israeli Prime Minister Bennett convenes discussion on easing coronavirus restrictions, says Israel is the fastest-growing economy.

Mild illness?

Omicron causing more neurological issues than previous variants

Many who recovered from Omicron experience extreme weakness, loss of consciousness, and even a comatose state, doctors say.

Moderna CEO:

'Omicron-specific booster could be ready by August'

CEO of Moderna says firm is still gathering clinical data on Omicron-specific booster.

Report: Tourists, children, soon to be allowed into Israel

PM Bennett planning to allow foreign children to enter Israel, eliminate Green Pass for events, conferences.

Top doctor:

Coronavirus shortened lives, caused enormous suffering

Dr. Meir Preis, top doctor at Carmel Medical Center, responds to claim that many people die with COVID-19, not of COVID-19. 'It's very sad.'

Those fleeing Ukraine won't need a pre-flight COVID-19 test

Travelers will fill out a health declaration, undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Israel, Exceptions Committee decides.

5-month-old baby dies after contracting COVID

Infant with preexisting conditions becomes latest Israeli to die after contracting COVID at Jerusalem hospital.

284 COVID-related deaths in a week

Number of seriously ill patients falls to 1,048, as average number of new daily infections continues to decline.

Israel Freedom Convoy heads for Jerusalem

Protesters demand cancellation of govt emergency powers, end to discrimination based on vaccination status.

Soon: Rapid PCR test at Ben Gurion Airport

Ministry of Health promoting rapid test for those returning to Israel, the results of which can be obtained within 3-4 hours.

Will decline of Omicron wave lead to return of PCR tests?

With case numbers declining, speculation has begun that home antigen tests may be replaced by PCR testing sites again.

Music as crowd control? Police blast music at NZ protesters

Barry Manilow, Celine Dion "recruited" as police seek ways to persuade crowds to disperse. To no avail - they kept on singing in the rain.

EMA investigating menstrual irregularities following COVID shot

European Medicines Agency says it is 'assessing reported cases of heavy menstrual bleeding and absence of menstruation' following the shots.

Pfizer postpones FDA request for vaccine for kids under 5

Pfizer-BioNTech postponing application to expand use of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under age 5.

Large study:

COVID-19 significantly raises risk of cardiovascular problems

'Substantial' increase in risk of 20 heart issues one year after even mild COVID-19 infections.

Erdogan to resume normal schedule after COVID bout

Turkish President tests negative for COVID-19 for two days, is expected to return to his normal schedule.

German city bans yellow stars at COVID-19 protests

Dortmund is latest German city to ban yellow stars at COVID-19 protests.

Study suggests 50% of people have innate immunity to COVID

36 people had virus dripped into their noses. Only 18 became infected.