Omicron

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.

33 Teachers from Latin America Beat the Travel Ban

Despite Omicron, Jewish teachers from across Latin America entered Israel to complete their advanced education training course in Jerusalem.

Minister: Diaspora Jews will no longer be cut off from Israel

Diaspora Affairs Minister Dr. Nachman Shai welcomes Health Ministry's decision to open skies to all travelers.

No more red countries: Skies to fully reopen at midnight

Travel to and from US and rest of the world to be allowed to resume in response to changing Omicron variant situation.

Education Ministry bars COVID testing at schools

"Health Ministry did not coordinate with us," Ministry officials explain. Meanwhile, 200,000 tests per day being conducted.

Hospital directors reassure: We can cope with Omicron

Number of serious COVID cases is rising but only slowly. "We're prepared to deal with this," directors say. "There's no need to panic."

Herzog receives fourth vaccine dose

President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog receive fourth vaccine dose at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center.

Government concerned:

'The situation is worse than the most pessimistic forecasts'

Government fears that residents who test positive for COVID-19 in home tests will not report that.

Israeli stewardess arrested in China over Omicron to return home

El Al flight attendant who was arrested in China for weeks after being diagnosed with 'Omicron' variant to be allowed to return home.

Quebec shutters houses of worship in response to Omicron variant

Synagogues, churches, and other houses of worship ordered to close in Quebec over spread of Omicron variant.

PM's military secretary spotted at mass New Year's party

Bennett's military secretary spent New Year's Eve at a party attended by about 200 people, many of whom were unmasked.

Former MK Dov Lipman: No reason for red countries anymore

Yad L'Olim CEO and former MK Dov Lipman addresses Knesset committee, says spread of Omicron has made red country designation obsolete.

Bennett: 4th shot caused 5-times greater antibody response

PM visits Sheba Medical Center, says results of first uses of 4th vaccine dose are very encouraging.

'We are at the start of a sharp rise in infections'

'We're going to have a very hard month or month-and-a-half,' warns top doctor Prof. Nimrod Maimon.

Top Health Ministry official receives fourth dose

Health Min. Director General receives fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine, says 'certain' that dose will 'help Israel manage the pandemic.'

IKEA cancels January sale over COVID-19

IKEA announces 'special discounts' instead of traditional sale, announces upcoming global price hike.

Coronavirus czar: We're working on COVID-19 tests in schools

'Great number of people will be infected within a short span of time,' coronavirus czar Prof. Salman Zarka warns.

'COVID-19 can cause complications, effects lasting a long time'

'We don't want herd immunity for an illness like this, goal is to prevent infection as much as possible,' Dr. Orly Greenfeld says.

Diaspora Minister praises relaxed entry restrictions

Minister Dr. Nachman Shai responds to the lifting of restrictions on entry to travelers from many countries.

COVID Czar: Peak of wave still ahead of us

Prof. Salman Zarka warns rapid rise in cases expected in coming weeks, Israel not hoping for 'herd immunity.'

FDA approves Pfizer boosters for teens

Children between ages of 12-15 now eligible to receive 3rd doses of COVID vaccines in US.

Minister: 'First line of defense against coronavirus has fallen'

Labor party minister Nachman Shai praises PM Bennett: 'It's not easy to stand up and say, 'We're making a change.''

These are the changes to the COVID-19 testing rules

New changes to coronavirus testing rules mean vaccinated individuals won't need to undergo PCR tests if they test positive on antigen tests.

Is Israel on its way to herd immunity?

Former Health Ministry chief predicts that by end of Omicron wave, most Israelis will be either vaccinated or recovered from COVID.

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.

PM Bennett paints a morbid picture of the upcoming Omicron wave

PM Naftali Bennett spoke in the cabinet meeting this morning on the expected Omicron wave, saying soon tens of thousands will be infected.

Health officials warn: Lockdown if number of serious cases rises

Health officials warn: If Israel reaches 1,200-1,500 serious COVID-19 cases, complete lockdown will be needed.

5th Wave in Israel

Over 100 COVID-19 patients in serious condition

Number of new cases expected to reach over 20,000 this week, researchers say.

Senior health official: 'There may be a lockdown'

'Even the most liberal minister who doesn't want a lockdown will declare a lockdown if we reach a point where we need one,' top doctor says.

Top Hadassah doctor: 80% of patients have Omicron

'Those who were vaccinated three times are not in serious condition,' Prof. Dror Mevorach adds.

Studies:

Most Omicron carriers experience mild symptoms

Five new studies suggest illness caused by current strain is fundamentally different from earlier variants.

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

1st shipment of Pfizer COVID pills arrive in Israel

Israel has purchased tens of thousands of doses of pill Pfizer says reduces risk of hospitalization and death from COVID by 90%.

Israel likely to impose mask mandate at outdoor events

Health Ministry likely to institute mask mandate for events with 100 participants or more, even in the open air.

NY hospitalizations rise 12% in 1 day from Omicron surge

40,000 people test positive for COVID in New York State in 1 day, 28,000 of which are in New York City.

First suspected death from Omicron variant in Israel

84-year-old fully vaccinated woman may be the first person to die from the Omicron variant in Israel.

Bennett: The skies will open soon

PM says goal is to fight Omicron variant without locking down the country.

Drama at COVID-19 hotel:

Two unvaccinated people threaten to commit suicide

Two Israelis who were admitted to coronavirus hotel in Jerusalem permitted to go home after threatening to commit suicide.

CDC cuts isolation restrictions for COVID carriers

Isolation restrictions for COVID-19 carriers cut from 10 to five days.

Israel to lift ban on travel to most red countries, but not US

Number of 'red' countries to which travel is forbidden to drop from nearly 70 to under 20, but US and several other countries to remain red.

Bennett comes to Knesset despite being in isolation

PM leaves isolation for Knesset debate after Likud refuses to offset his absence after his daughter contracts COVID.

High probability PM Bennett's daughter has Omicron variant

PM to remain in isolation, work from Ra'anana home as daughter tests positive for COVID, awaits results on which variant she has.

Australia looks to reopen despite first Omicron-related death

Elderly man with preexisting conditions dies after testing positive for Omicron variant, as authorities hold off on new lockdowns.

Israel may see 100,000 new cases daily in less than a month

Nearly 1,800 new coronavirus cases diagnosed, 95% of young seriously ill COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated.

Expert: Initial numbers show Omicron favors young children

'There's going to be a storm in the number of confirmed cases,' expert pediatrician Dr, Meir Ezra Elia predicts.

Health Minister: 'I don't think there will be a lockdown'

'For unvaccinated people, illness from Omicron variant may be severe - people need to go get vaccinated,' Health Min. Horowitz says.

First case of Omicron recorded in Gaza

PA “health ministry” says it identified first case of Omicron coronavirus variant in the Gaza Strip.

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.

El Al flight attendant trapped in China after contracting COVID

Female flight attendant suspected of having Omicron variant, held in isolation in Guangzhou.

Sheba hospital to begin trial of 4th COVID vaccine shot

6,000 people enrolled in new trial, the first of its kind in the world.

Iran to close borders to prevent Omicron spread

Iran to close its land borders for 15 days.

Nearly 1,000 US flights cancelled due to COVID

Surge in cases of COVID-19 cause pilots and crew to be quarantined and lead airlines to cancel flights.

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.

Health Min.: Anyone exposed to Omicron must quarantine

Health Ministry: Anyone exposed to Omicron carrier or suspected Omicron carrier - including vaccinated or recovered - must quarantine.

Rapid tests at nursing home entrances - even for vaccinated

PM Bennett holds telephone conference on Omicron, orders increased protection for Israel's elderly population.

25 test positive for coronavirus at nursing home

The twenty residents and five employees are suspected of being infected with Omicron.

US to lift travel restrictions on African countries

The restrictions were imposed last month following the discovery of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

Is Health Ministry misleading government on Omicron deaths?

Amid talks for 2nd booster, plans for new COVID restrictions, did Health Ministry mislead ministers regarding dangers of Omicron variant?

Bennett: Lockdown may be unavoidable

PM Bennett reportedly said in closed conversations that a lockdown may be inevitable due to uptick in COVID-19 cases.

Diaspora Minister to Bennett: Listen to Diaspora Jews

Minister Nachman Shai calls on PM to establish an inter-ministerial team to advise government on entry into Israel for Diaspora Jews.