Coronavirus Outbreak

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks about the importance of vaccinating children and Israel's first-of-its-kind national coronavirus-preparedness drill.

Number of seriously ill COVID patients in Israel now lowest recorded since July. Israel kicks off world's first-ever national drill to examine pandemic preparedness.

As team of experts is expected to recommend vaccinating children ages five-11 against COVID, head of the ministry team handling the epidemic talks to Israel Hayom about misinformation and threats from anti-vaxxers.

Horowitz: Health Ministry treating waning fourth wave as a "respite" from the pandemic. Green pass system to remain in place despite decline in morbidity, officials say.

Citing concerns that decision-makers would otherwise not speak freely due to aggressive anti-vax rhetoric by portions of the public, the decision was made not to broadcast Wednesday’s discussion live.

Cautiously optimistic COVID mortality rate set to decline, health officials say upcoming holiday season and vaccine inequity remain chief causes of concern.

Experimental antiviral pill cuts hospitalization and death rates by nearly 90% in high-risk adults. Israel reports 194 new cases over the weekend as 178 patients remain in serious condition.

In Israel, Delta wave continues to subside as 513 people test positive and only 176 patients are listed in serious condition.

Starting Nov. 7, HMOs will be able to decide whether a person who recovered from the virus needs to provide an antigen or PCR test 10 days after getting tested.

While FDA had already authorized the shots, Center for Disease Control recommends who should receive the vaccine. The milestone opens a major expansion of the US vaccination campaign to children as young as five.