President Isaac Herzog gets vaccinated with the fourth dose, kicking off the national booster campaign. Israel and other governments introduce new coronavirus testing policies in an effort to reserve PCR tests for the most vulnerable populations.
According to one major retailer, it has already run out of kits in some stores following government's decision to allow antigen tests to get vaccine certificates.
As the infection rate, now at 6.65%, breaks recent records, Health Ministry proposes new guidelines for coronavirus testing. Pharmacies report at-home testing kit shortage due to skyrocketing demand.
New coronavirus variant is believed to have 46 mutations. Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash gets vaccinated with fourth dose, calls on those eligible to follow suit.
The announcement comes even as Prime Minister Bennett predicts that new cases could increase tenfold within days.
Amid surging Omicron infections, expert says Israel must adopt different approach, putting "much more emphasis" on isolating positive cases and protecting the vulnerable.
Criteria for PCR testing might have to be re-evaluated as system approaches capacity, leading to long lines and delayed results, Health Ministry official warns. Meanwhile, reproduction rate continues to rise, number of positive tests doubles.
Citing their vulnerability to infections, Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash approves the doses for the immunocompromised and residents of assisted living facilities.
Israeli officials “are going on the offensive,″ to get people vaccinated, deploying mobile vaccination clinics and enlisting prominent rabbis in the ultra-Orthodox community.
With 2,000 hospitalized with the flu, Health Ministry calls on Israelis to get vaccinated for the respiratory disease.