Coronavirus

Netanyahu rips Bennett's handling of Omicron wave

'We'll get out of the Omicron despite Bennett government's policies - not because of them,' says Opposition Leader Netanyahu.

Researcher:

'Israel has hit peak number of infections - but not deaths'

Fifth Wave of coronavirus has already passed its peak in terms of new infections, says researcher, though deaths will continue to rise.

Cabinet extends Green Pass rules by 1 week

PM Bennett says at Cabinet meeting he hopes peak of Omicron wave has passed.

Top French vax expert: We've flouted science and flouted rights

Dr. Christian Perronne, who held top positions on vaccine policy for France and WHO, slams conduct during COVID crisis.

MK David Bitan tests positive for COVID-19 a second time

In December of 2020, Bitan was hospitalized in serious condition after contracting COVID-19.

Omicron wave:

Number of critically ill from COVID-19 breaks 300

Over 1,000 coronavirus patients in serious condition, including over 300 whose condition is critical.

Canadian PM isolating after child tests positive for COVID

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is isolating because one of his children tested positive for COVID-19.

Is Omicron wave almost over?

Experts: Number of cases will drop to 10,000 within two weeks

Newly published data show a decline in the number of cases, but Health Minister warns: Two more difficult weeks are ahead.

Recovered COVID-19 patients returning to hospital care

Hospitals report a rise in recovered patients being stricken with a new and different lung condition.

'We're not at a stage where we can change infection rates'

'Vaccinated children develop PIMS less - and even when they do develop it - it's milder,' children's hospital director Dr. Pessach says.

Head of Teachers' Union:

'Shasha-Biton forgot about the teachers'

Head of Teachers' Union: I was shouting on behalf of the teachers, who were neglected by the Minister of Education.

US upgrades travel warning to UAE

The warning follows recent Houthi missile attacks as well as COVID-19 case numbers.

Top health officials:

'There are signs that the peak of Omicron is behind us'

Health Ministry estimates that close to three million Israelis became infected during Omicron wave.

Health Min. clarifies testing system for school children

After quarantine rules for students cancelled, Health Ministry clarifies details of new testing system for students.

Bennett, ministers agree to add 45 ICU beds

PM, Ministers Hororitz and Liberman agree on measure to relieve burden on hospitals as Omicron wave rages.

Teachers Union: Gov't made populist decision, abandoned teachers

Israel Teachers Union responds to court ruling striking planned strike: 'Shame government insists on gambling on dubious, dangerous plan.'

Ed. Min. slams critics of plan ending quarantine for children

Education Min.: 'Claims I'm a coronavirus denier are fake news, I hope everyone understands that we need to free everyone from quarantine.'

New study: 133x risk of myocarditis after COVID vaccination

Comparisons with myocarditis rates following infection now irrelevant as vaccination no longer prevents infection.

No strike in Israeli schools

Labor Court issues injunction against Teachers' Union

Labor Court issues injunction against decision to shut down schools in protest against canceling of quarantine regulations for students.

Moderna starts trial of Omicron-specific booster

Moderna says first participant has been dosed in Phase 2 clinical trial of COVID-19 booster shot that is specific to Omicron variant.

Health Ministry orders HMOs to use less PCR tests

Ministry directs health funds to prioritize elderly, at-risk populations for PCR tests or face fines.

Health Min. approves 4th vaccine dose for at-risk adults

Prof. Nachman Ash approves expansion of of administration of 4th vaccine doses beyond citizens over 60.

Teachers Union cancels classes to protest new COVID policy

Union urges teachers not to come to school tomorrow in protest against canceling of quarantine regulations for students.

Bennett decides: Isolation rules for students removed

PM makes final decision to end current quarantine rules for students. New testing rules to be put in place tomorrow.

'Dangerous and irresponsible' to cancel quarantine for children

Association to advance public health warns, 'New policy to cancel quarantine gambles with present & future lives & health of our children.'

Lapid deputy: 'I should have set a better example'

'Maybe in hindsight I should have avoided the party, I should have set a better personal example,' Dep. Foreign Min. Idan Roll says.

Hospital director:

'We'll need to treat more patients in the staff's cafeteria'

'Those dying of coronavirus are divided into those who were not vaccinated, and those who were vaccinated but had pre-existing conditions.'

PM holding talks on elimination of quarantine for children

PM Bennett calls meeting of Health, Education, ministry officials to discuss delaying quarantine cancellation for children exposed to COVID.

In one week: 1,169,048 new COVID-19 cases

Number of coronavirus patients in serious condition rises to 888, with 187 intubated.

Hospital director: 'Situation now worst since start of pandemic'

Forty times more deaths as hospital directors warn, 'Soon we won't be able to provide reasonable treatment.'

Top doctor backtracks:

Don't eliminate quarantine for schoolchildren

'Within four days number of children suffering severe cases of COVID-19 has doubled,' Prof. Zachi Grossman says.

Biden withdraws COVID vaccine mandate

Biden administration formally withdraws vaccination-or-testing mandate that was struck down by the Supreme Court.

Pfizer and BioNTech launch Omicron vaccine trial

Pfizer and BioNTech begin enrollment for clinical trial to test their Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine.

Knesset approves amendments to Coronavirus Law

Among the amendments approved is abolition of the government's authority to declare a "special state of emergency".

Bennett:

'Netanyahu back to sowing chaos, as usual'

Bennett responds to Netanyahu's criticism of pandemic response: We’ll continue to run the country calmly and responsibly.

2 medical staff who refused vaccine in critical condition

Senior doctor, paramedic who did not get vaccinated for ideological reasons in life-threatening condition with COVID.

Netanyahu: Bennett, Lapid do nothing while COVID rages

Opposition leader says government has abandoned Israelis in both the health and economic fields, leading to disaster.

Study: Repeated quarantine increases violence among children

National Council for the Child study shows 43% increase in number of children treated for suicidal thoughts, 1/3 children live in poverty.

Military report:

Increase in neurological issues in children who had Omicron

Unvaccinated recovering from Omicron don't develop sufficient immunity against other strains, military report says, quoting studies.

845 serious COVID-19 cases, over 83,000 new cases

Nurses top list of quarantined healthcare workers, followed closely by management and cleaning staff - and only then by doctors themselves.

MIT prof: Israel in 'moral bankruptcy' due to COVID policy

Prof. Retsef Levi of the Public Emergency Council for the Coronavirus Crisis says Omicron has toppled the government's COVID narrative.

Hospital director warns: 'We're nearing limit of our abilities'

'Combination of COVID-19 and winter infections has brought us to the limit of our abilities,' director of Galilee Medical Center says.

'Peak in number of severe COVID-19 patients still ahead of us'

Prof. Ran Balicer, head of panel of experts on COVID-19, warns Israel 'not yet at the peak' when it comes to severe illness from COVID-19.

Effect of ending quarantine?

Sharp drop in number of children getting COVID-19 vax

Number of children receiving COVID-19 drops drastically following government decision to cancel quarantine for all exposed schoolchildren.

Health Ministry chief:

'This may be end of the pandemic - if there are no new variants'

Director-General of Israeli Health Ministry cautiously optimistic Omicron variant could mark end of COVID pandemic.

Israel to expand fourth dose to those under 60?

Health Ministry Director General to weight recommendation to allow fourth dose for entire adult population.

mRNA innovator: Intimidation and coercion have become the norm

Dr. Robert Malone delivers speech at Defeat the Mandates rally in Washington DC.

Experts: Clinics may not hold up to overwhelming COVID-19 burden

'Quality of care may take a hit, the peak of severe illness is still ahead of us,' cabinet of experts warns.

New York judge strikes down mask mandate

New York judge rules the state's mask mandate is unconstitutional and a violation of state law.

Expert: 'I don't see the pandemic ending any time soon'

Prof. Ran Balicer, head of panel of experts on COVID-19, says pandemic won't end anytime soon, Green Pass not relevant to Omicron.

5th Wave:

Has Omicron Wave peaked? Number of new cases stabilizes

783 patients with COVID in serious condition as number of new cases per day appears to stabilize, potentially marking peak of Omicron wave.

Jordan's Health Minister tests positive for COVID-19

Jordan reported 6,951 new cases of the virus on Sunday, bringing its total number to 1,141,048.

Health Ministry:

Fourth vaccine dose provides greater protection

Fourth dose provides three times the protection against serious illness, data shows.

Govt not expected to renew Green Pass

Restrictions to expire next week; "no longer relevant" now that vaccination doesn't protect against infection with Omicron variant.

The Green Pass is about to expire. What next?

Options include abolition, extension, and expanding the Purple Tag; distinctions based on vax-status are irrelevant in the Omicron era.

Herd Immunity?

WHO: Omicron could spell end of COVID pandemic

Senior World Health Organization official says Omicron variant could 'plausibly' mark the end of the COVID pandemic.

New COVID testing guidelines for kids 'doomed to failure'

"The rules make no sense and place an intolerable burden upon us," say parents who admit they have no intention of complying.

Study: Vaccines saved 20,000 Israeli lives

Study by Prof. Itamar Grotto shows death toll would have been about 30,000 without vaccines instead of 8,371.

Pfizer CEO:

'The virus will not be eradicated, we will live alongside it'

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla: The virus will be with us for years to come, we should be able to live normal lives.