Israel's current coronavirus infection rate stood at 0.8% Sunday, as 423 of the 59,108 people who tested for the virus Thursday were found to be infected with COVID-19.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
There are 4,097 active cases of the virus. Forty-seven Israelis are in serious condition, 13 of whom are on ventilators. While 835,688 have recovered from the virus, 6,438 have died of the disease.
According to the government's traffic-light program for ranking local authorities according to infection rates, there are currently four Israeli communities designated "red," seven "orange," and 16 "yellow."
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz has declared immunocompromised individuals would be eligible to receive a third dose of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine. The minister further recommended allowing children aged 12 and under with serious pre-existing conditions to be vaccinated against the virus.
Currently, only Israelis aged 12 and over are eligible for the vaccine.
In interviews with Israeli media outlets, Monday, Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash said, " I cannot say the event is under control." To date, Israel has vaccinated citizens with Pfizer's vaccine, but with morbidity on the rise, Ash said: "We also need to think about using Moderna's vaccines as well.
"There is an increase in morbidity. We're looking at it with concern. I hope we succeed in taking all the steps so that we don't get to a point where there are additional restrictions. Nevertheless, if the trend of increased morbidity continues, in another two months, limitations will be imposed on weddings and other events with a high-risk of [mass] infection."
Ash also commented on Horowitz's plans for a third booster shot as well as pharmaceutical giant Pfizer's announcement over the weekend it intends to apply for US Food and Drug Administration emergency authorization for a third booster shot for the vaccine.
"The third vaccine for the immunocompromised will probably be given today, but it should only be done after consulting with your physician. In the coming days, a decision will be made whether to vaccinate adults aged 65 and over with a third dose of the vaccine," he said.
To date in Israel, a third booster shot is administrated to organ and bone marrow recipients, cancer patients, patients taking medication that suppresses their immune system, as well as other cases set out by the Health Ministry.
Another issue of concern is this most recent spike in infections among children and the opening of the new school year in September.
Ash said: "We have our team and the Education Ministry's team to think about Sept.1. We aren't thinking of imposing any restrictions at this point. Regarding the holidays, there are no plans for that either."
Given the increase in morbidity, a panel advising the government on how to tackle the coronavirus pandemic on Sunday recommended allowing children aged 12 and under to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Among the panel's members, 79% were in favor of the move. Sixty percent of panel members believed that with this particular age group, the second of two doses required for inoculation could be pushed back later than recommended. A majority of panel members also recommended samples be taken from vaccinated and recovered individuals who were exposed to a verified patient.
The recommendations follow reports 120,000 children in this age group in the United States had been vaccinated against the virus, apparently at their recommendation of their pediatrician.
To date, over 5,730,000 Israelis have received at least one dose of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine. Over 5,193,500 have received both doses.
As for the tourism sector, with Israel set to see the return of incoming tourism in another two weeks, Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov told Army Radio, Monday: "There are no plans to postpone the date right now." He said the ministry would base its decision on morbidity levels.
"We will need to find the framework for bringing in vaccinated tourists from recognized countries," he said.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
