The state-run Israel Institute for Biological Research announced Sunday that researchers will begin human testing on its coronavirus vaccine next week.
The institute said clinical tests on an initial group of 80 people would begin Nov. 1. The testing is to expand to a second phase of 960 people in December, with a third and final phase of 30,000 people next April or May depending on the results of the earlier phases.
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"I believe in the abilities of our scientists and I am confident that we can produce a safe and effective vaccine," said Dr. Shmuel Shapira, director of the institute.
He said the goal is to produce 15 million doses "for the benefit of the residents of the state of Israel and our close neighbors." He did not elaborate.
The institute is run by the Defense Ministry. "This is a day of hope for the citizens of Israel," said Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
Over 40 coronavirus vaccine candidates are in clinical trials worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
Israel, a country of about 9 million people, has reported over 300,000 cases of COVID-19 and, after the Health Ministry reported seven coronavirus-related fatalities on Sunday, the total death toll now stands at 2,397.
On Monday morning, the ministry also said 559 new cases of the coronavirus were diagnosed on Sunday.
New recoveries continued to outpace new cases, with 2,260 patients recovering Sunday.
Since the pandemic began, a total of 310, 148 cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed across Israel, including 293,838 which ended in recovery.
There are 13,911 cases of the virus currently active, including 12,075 patients being treated at home, 894 being treated at specially converted coronavirus hotels, and 942 being treated at hospitals.
Of those hospitalized, 506 patients are in serious condition, with a further 131 in moderate condition. There are currently 206 patients on respirators.
The percentage of positive tests fell to 2.8% Sunday, after rising to 3.9% Saturday from 2.7% on Friday.
Also Sunday, the so-called coronavirus cabinet voted to maintain current restrictions to fight the pandemic, leaving educational institutions and businesses shuttered until next week.
During the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the government plans to reopen some classes, as well as commerce from Nov. 1.
Ministers voted to maintain the existing rules until at least next Sunday, and will continue to debate on how to gradually reopen elementary schools and some businesses which do not interact directly with customers after a five-week lockdown
The cabinet also supported a proposal by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas) to allow students and teachers to meet outdoors in informal groups of no more than 15 people, even if schools remain closed.
The proposal, however, was not immediately confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office or the Health Ministry.
Ahead of the meeting, Netanyahu emphasized that the government's plan to reopen elementary schools and parts of the economy was contingent on low morbidity numbers across the country.
"If morbidity decreases, then the restrictions will also gradually decrease. If the morbidity rate increases, there will be no choice but to reimpose the restrictions," he added.
Last week, national parks and beaches reopened, while young children found their way back to kindergarten and preschool.
Public gatherings are still limited to less than 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors. Wearing sanitary masks is still compulsory.
Meanwhile, national corona commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu warned on Sunday that if the state does not increase the number of screening tests he will not recommend lifting lockdown restrictions.
Gamzu stressed his hope that by next week Israel will reach its morbidity goals in order to reopen elementary schools. However, he did mention that the Finance and Education Ministries were still at odds over the budget required for applying the reopening outline.
"We requested, and we insist on this, to understand the need to open first and second grades in a safer way than [we did] in the past. Which requires masks for those pupils as well," Gamzu said.
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