Coronavirus

Netanyahu, Gantz reach agreement on 10-day full lockdown

New restrictions to be implemented beginning this Friday. Schools to be closed while leaving house to be curtailed.

Condition of MK David Bitan takes turn for the worse

Likud MK being treated for coronavirus at Sheba hospital is transferred to ICU, following deterioration in his condition.

China claims COVID originated in 'multiple regions' around world

WHO team shortly to arrive in China to investigate pandemic's origins. Will China grant it access to data?

South African COVID variant can 'bypass immune protection'

Scientists fear it could take months to adapt existing vaccines; meanwhile, new mutations are likely to emerge.

Government to decide today whether to impose tighter lockdown

Netanyahu pushing to impose total lockdown for 10 days, while Blue and White preferring to wait and see effect of current lockdown.

COVID czar: 'Green passports will be means to manage daily life'

Passports to be required for entrance to large number of public venues.

More than 8,300 new infections diagnosed in 24 hours

Infection rate soars to 7.6% as fears mount over fast-spreading mutation of the coronavirus.

Holocaust survivor: COVID is stealing my last years

87-year-old Holocaust survivor pens op-ed in the New York Times laments 'missing out' on her last years due to coronavirus pandemic.

Larry King moved out of ICU after COVID hospitalization

87-year-old talk show host moved out of an ICU in Los Angeles as he continues to receive hospital care for COVID-19.

Edelstein stops allocation of vaccines to Ichilov Hospital

Move comes after the hospital vaccinated teachers in violation of guidelines. The hospital explains: We had leftover doses.

Moderna to deliver vaccine to Israel this month

US drugmaker says Israel's Health Ministry has approved its COVID-19 vaccine and that it will deliver 6 million doses.

First case of new COVID-19 strain diagnosed in New York

Man in his 60s living in a town north of Albany and who has not traveled recently contracts more contagious strain of COVID-19.

Rabbi Yuval Asherov: 'COVID-19 vaccine - did you know?'

Rabbi Yuval Hacohen Asherov of Ohr Haganuz answers questions asked by followers.

Dr. Yaffa Shir Raz:

'On what basis do governments argue 1 dose protects for months?'

Health Communication Lecturer at IDC Herzliya International School seeks to clarify scientific basis for government vaccination policy.

Boris Johnson announces national lockdown

British PM makes statement announcing new measures to try to restrict the spread of Covid-19.

What You Need To Know

How Is COVID 19 Affecting the Working Class Around the World?

There’s no denying that 2020 has affected numerous jobs and caused huge setbacks to multiple markets.

Petition demands government not sanction non-vaccinated

Petition joins call by over 100 doctors countrywide: 'You should not be able to force a person to get the vaccine through restrictions.'

Pfizer: No guarantee vaccine will be effective without 2nd dose

Creator of COVID-19 vaccine warns nations not to delay providing second dose of vaccine in order to provide more first doses.

PM to convene govt. to tighten lockdown

Coronavirus Czar calls to close schools, says students come home and infect parents.

17-year-old in critical condition after contracting COVID-19

Boy on life-support with COVID-19 at Rambam hospital despite having no preexisting conditions.

Senior Hasidic leader calls on followers to get vaccinated

Biala Rebbe Rabbi Ben-Zion Rabinowicz instructs Hasidim to receive COVID vaccine.

'We're winning vaccine race, but losing the war to the mutation'

1 out of 8 Israelis have received COVID vaccine, putting Israel far ahead of all other countries - yet infection rates continue to surge.

COVID infection rate soars to 6.6%

38 COVID-related deaths reported over the weekend, with 5,135 new infections diagnosed in 24 hours.

It’s not COVID, but it’s also interesting

The COVID pandemic is indeed an event of national proportions, but it is very far from endangering the Jewish national vision. Op-ed.

PA testing for new COVID-19 strain

PA starts taking samples in Judea and Samaria to test for new strain of the novel coronavirus.

'The vaccination operation is amazing'

Head of Health Ministry's public health services division, to Arutz Sheva: Going into lockdown now will put us in a better place later.

Don't drink and vax, say health officials

Just a few glasses of wine can significantly reduce efficacy of vaccine - but keeping to one glass may actually boost immune function.

Deadly virus strain spreading quickly in US

Fox News reports new, deadly COVID-19 strain that originated in UK has spread to 3 US states, another virus mutation to S. Africa.

Health Ministry: COVID-19 mutation gaining steam

Seven new cases of the new mutation were discovered in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, and Givat Ze'ev, 300 specimens sent for sequencing

Liberman: No vaccine can save Israel from Netanyahu's regime

Liberman says only replacing Netanyahu can save country from economic collapse.

'I'm not a murderer, just a robber. Next time I'm voting Likud!'

Millionth person to be vaccinated denies reports he is a murderer, says he was jailed for robbery. 'They're using me to smear Netanyahu.'

'When in doubt, call it COVID' says President Trump

"The deaths are real deaths," responds Dr. Fauci. "It's not fake."

NY AG recuses herself from COVID probe of haredi-owned clinics

Attorney General of New York recuses herself from investigation into suspicions haredi-owned healthcare fraudulently obtained COVID vaccines

The Guardian: Israel vaccinating millions as Palestinians watch

The Guardian invokes long-held libels about Israel's 'oppression' of 'Palestinians,' alleging priority treatment in COVID vaccinations.

Israel aims to vaccinate 2 million people by end of January

After inoculating one million with first dose of coronavirus vaccine, Israel plans to double the number of people vaccinated by month's end.

What do medical consensus and majority doctors' opinion mean?

When we hear 'the consensus among doctors is', what exactly does that mean? And how are we to understand correct course of action? Opinion

Coalition Chairman: Whoever opposes lockdown is a populist

MK Miki Zohar expresses support for Health Ministry demand for tighter lockdown.

Deaths reported after taking COVID vaccine

Questions arising about safety of new Pfizer vaccine, as some elderly people reportedly dying hours or days after receiving.

Coronavirus Cabinet to decide if lockdown to be tightened

Students in grades 5-12 will not return to studies in red and orange cities as Health Minister seeks tighter lockdown.

Edelstein: I will propose a full lockdown for two weeks

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein: In view of a significant increase in cases, I will propose to impose a full lockdown for two weeks.

PA forbids work in 'settlements'

PA adopts bans crossing into Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria as part of measures aimed at curbing spread of coronavirus.

Larry King hospitalized with COVID-19

87-year-old talk show host has been hospitalized for more than a week in Los Angeles.

Mexican doctor hospitalized after receiving COVID-19 vaccine

Doctor admitted to intensive care unit after experiencing seizures, difficulty breathing, and skin rash.

Reporter apologizes for doubting vaccine would arrive on time

Senior reporter apologizes for tweeting his doubts that mass vaccination would arrive in Israel by January.

Large numbers of health care, frontline workers refusing vaccine

High percentage of health care professionals and frontline workers throughout US reportedly hesitant or outright refusing to take vaccine.

In attempt to curb virus spread, PA bans entry to Jewish areas

PA takes drastic steps to curve virus spread including forbidding workers from entering pre-'67 Israel,Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria.

New precedent? Israel recognizes 3 civil unions performed online

Israel recognized 3 civil unions performed online due to inconveniences caused by COVID as Minister Aryeh Deri orders stop to procedures.

Why did COVID-skeptic Prof. Lass vaccinate?

Man who called COVID 'flu with PR' still vaccinated, saying: 'Main thing is to calm down from this madness.'

Netanyahu plans 'tight, short lockdown'

During next week, PM to hold discussion on 'tight and short lockdown that will allow economy to open quickly,' PMs office said.

44% of those aged 60 and over vaccinated against COVID-19

Yesterday, 70,000 citizens in Israel were vaccinated. Yesterday, 5,993 tested positive; rate of positive tests stands at 6.1%.

Bennett slams government over British virus mutation negligence

Naftali Bennett criticizes the government over its negligence in allowing air passengers into Israel without coronavirus testing

Polish rapper under fire for calling COVID-19 ‘modern Holocaust’

Jakub Grabowski, aka Quebonafide, slammed for comparing coronavirus pandemic to the Holocaust.

18 cases of mutated COVID variant discovered in Israel

UK variant of COVID virus discovered in multiple towns including Beit Shemesh, Beitar Illit, Modi'in Illit, Ramat Gan, Tiberias, Givat Ze'ev

Mutant COVID strain detected in US samples from October

Fears that new, far more contagious mutation is already widespread in US and beyond.

Israel has vaccinated 10x more of its population than the US

8% of Israelis have already received first dose of coronavirus vaccine, more than 10 times the percentage of Americans to get the jab.

'Lockdowns aren't a yes or no issue'

'We have many new tools at our disposal,' says health official from Ben Gurion University, calling for nuanced approached to lockdowns.

Israel nearing one million vaccines

153,430 Israelis were vaccinated against coronavirus on Thursday. 950,000 Israelis have been vaccinated since the start of the campaign.

Likud MK: No choice but to tighten the lockdown

Coalition chairman: Israel needs one more hermetic lockdown so that we can say that we are past the pandemic.

Case of new COVID-19 strain discovered in Florida

Health officials in Florida confirm first case of the new coronavirus strain that was first discovered in Britain.

Trump: COVID-19 vaccine is a medical miracle

Watch: In year-end video message, Trump notes his administration's work to develop vaccine against COVID-19.