Health Ministry

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.

Jenin University students could get Israeli medical licenses

A new program intends to boost the PA curriculum to allow students from Jenin University to sit Israeli licensing exams.

Health Min. clarifies testing system for school children

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

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.

Health Ministry:

Fourth vaccine dose provides greater protection

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

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.

Israelis with active COVID-19 cases can print out Green Pass

Health ministry app allows COVID-positive Israelis to print out Green Pass, bot which conducts epidemiological investigations crashes.

Tel Aviv hospital prof: Time to re-evaluate 'quarantine mania'

Prof Idit Matot calls for a change in policy. Health Ministry: "Whoever does not want to help should not interfere."

Top health official tests positive for COVID-19

Health Ministry advisor Professor Ran Balicer announces he tested positive for COVID-19.

Isolation for COVID patients to be reduced to 7 days

Health Min. decides to reduce isolation period from 10 days after studies find risk of spreading disease after 7 days very low.

New record: 30,970 new cases of COVID-19 in one day

The number of active cases stands at 169,117, including 221 who are hospitalized in serious condition.

Health Min: Shorten isolation for COVID patients to 7 days

Health Ministry epidemic response team recommends not expanding 4th vaccination dose drive beyond at-risk populations.

Health Ministry issues new instructions for antigen tests

Samples for antigen tests should be taken from both nose and throat, Health Ministry says.

Report: MDA used less effective tests for rapid testing

New report by Central Lab for Viruses shows MDA used test which are less effective at detecting Omicron than other tests.

Health officials believe:

One in three Israelis will get COVID-19

Ministry of Health believes millions of Israelis will be infected with COVID-19 in coming weeks as Omicron cases increase.

Education Minister: 'Health Ministry is creating chaos'

Education Min. Shasha-Biton slams Health Ministry chaos, promises she 'won't allow' education system to be 'dragged into bedlam.'

Health Ministry data:

Antigen tests miss many positive COVID cases

Ministry data indicate antigen tests miss 50% of cases found to be positive by PCR test.

New anti-COVID drug to arrive in Israel within days

FDA granted emergency-use authorization to Molnupiravir just last week. Drug acts by introducing errors into Covid-19's genetic code.

4th dose approved

Health Min. okays fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose in nursing homes

Health Ministry approves fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine for those elderly who are in institutions, as well as institution employees.

Health Minister: We're not locking down over Omicron

Health Ministry holds press conference on spread of Omicron variant. 4th vaccine dose approved for immunosuppressed people

COVID booster shots to be given after 3 months instead of 6

Health Ministry halves time between 2nd and 3rd doses of COVID vaccine.

Health Ministry mulling quarantine changes for vaccinated

Ministry of Health discussing changing the quarantine plan for vaccinated people who have been exposed to Omicron carriers.

Health Ministry approves Pfizer COVID-19 pill

Health Ministry and Pfizer have signed an agreement for Israel to purchase the drug, Paxlovid.

Medical care charity: Consider this our SOS

The Yad Sarah medical care charity has issued a dire warning of depleted oxygen equipment supplies ahead of a predicted morbidity wave.

Israel's list of 'red countries' updated

Ireland, Norway, Spain, Finland, France, Sweden and UAE to be added to list of "red countries" as of Sunday night.

Bennett, Health Min. stop Shabak tracking of Omicron carriers

Shabak to end GPS tracking of suspected Omicron carriers at midnight on Thursday. Health Minister explains use was meant to be temporary.

Hannukah panic-ah

Drs. Bennett and Horror-witz are shooting from the hip, based on Ministry of Health fears. Opinion.

Health Min. loophole may have given thousands illegal Green Pass

Those who recovered from or were immunized against COVID-19 while abroad will no longer be able to receive Green Pass automatically.

Health Min.: Less than 200 hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Coronavirus czar promises: Decision on vaccinating children who recovered from coronavirus will be announced next week.

Health Ministry chief approves children's vaccines

Prof. Nachman Ash accepts recommendation of Ministry of Health expert teams to vaccinate children aged 5-11 against COVID-19.

Expert: 'Children at greater risk from COVID than from vaccine'

Ahead of decision on vaccine approval, head of Israel's Pediatric Association tells why he supports coronavirus vaccines for children 5-11.

Bennett, Health Min. cancel all restrictions on open gatherings

More COVID restrictions to be lifted, including reduced need for Green Passes at certain indoor gatherings.

Comedian, top health official cursed during live Facebook chat

Comedian Nadav Abuksis and Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis cursed and insulted by viewers during chat on vaccines.

Vote on children's vaccines won't be broadcast live

Ministry of Health fears threats against committee members and has therefore decided not to allow the public to watch the vote.

Report: Ministry of Health contacted Pfizer regarding COVID pill

Health Ministry professionals have reportedly asked Pfizer for information about its coronavirus pill.

Health Ministry Director General receives security detail

Police increase security around Prof. Nachman Ash amid threats against top health officials.

Health Min. to hold public meeting on vaccinating children 5-11

Live broadcast will include experts' answers to questions submitted by the public. A final decision will be made next week.

Proposal: Additional COVID test for returnees from abroad

The plan will require each returnee to undergo another test at his own expense up to four days after landing.

Health Ministry: New COVID-19 variant is not vaccine-resistant

Israel's Health Min. informs PM Bennett: A.30 coronavirus variant is not resistant to vaccines.

Children's vaccines could arrive in Israel by November 15

Ministry of Health team on pandemic handling will meet on Thursday to discuss vaccines for children aged 5-11 following the FDA's approval.

Thursday: Live broadcast on vaccinating children, open to public

Public can send questions to top Health Ministry experts, and tune in to hear the answers.

Health Ministry officials against recognition of Sputnik vaccine

'Since when is a serological test a sign that a person was vaccinated?' top specialist queries.

Husband of top health official: 'Concrete threats to her life'

Dr. Meir Preis, husband of Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, turns to police after she receives 'concrete threats' to her life.

Most hospitalized COVID-19 carriers weren't vaccinated

Number of patients in serious condition with COVID-19 is declining in Israel, according to latest Ministry of Health data.

Bennett orders updated tourism outline amid new COVID-19 variant

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett holds consultation on the new AY4.2 variant, a few cases of which have been found in Israel.

Health Min.: AstraZeneca distribution to begin this week

Israel's Health Ministry informs HMOs: Distribution of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine begins this week.

Corona fiasco in Israel

Some policy has been excellent, especially the Pfizer vaccine story, including ordering the 3rd dose. But other things were botched. Op-ed.

Relief for children who had COVID-19 in the past six months

Children who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past six months will not be required to undergo antigen test before returning to school.

A year after FDA approval, anti-COVID drug available in Israel

Multiple studies show Regeneron significantly lowers COVID mortality. Health Ministry now making drug available to high-risk patients.

Health Min: 8,691 new COVID cases diagnosed in last day

172,530 COVID tests performed in last day. 710 patients in serious condition, death toll rises to 7,567.

Eight unvaccinated people in critical condition with COVID-19

Senior Ministry of Health officials concerned about the increase in the number of young people in critical condition with COVID-19.

A Green Pass to Europe:

Israel, European Union, agree to recognize vaccine certificates

New agreement will allow vaccinated Israelis to access European Green Pass, allowing access to restaurants, cultural centers, and more.

Report: Health Ministry fears rise of COVID 'infection parties'

Phenomenon of parents trying to get their children infected with COVID to secure them Green Passports raises concerns among health experts.

Health Min: Prayers should be led by people with booster shot

Health Ministry recommends only people who have received 3 vaccine doses lead Rosh Hashannah prayers or blow the shofar.

Operations postponed: Why is $2.5m robot-surgeon not being used?

Health Ministry refuses to authorize budget for robot's operation due to fears it will "increase the deficit."

'The number of verified cases will go up'

Former Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health: Eventually, everyone will be sick or vaccinated or both.

Officials: Booster shots to be available for all ages next week

Ministry of Health expected to make booster shots available to all ages as early as next week.

Health Ministry updates countries' COVID-19 classification

Classification of countries as it relates to COVID-19 will be updated as of August 31.

Health Ministry: Coronavirus restrictions apply within malls

Businesses in sectors required to adhere to new coronavirus restrictions must keep restrictions regardless of location, Health Min. says.