"Israel has numerous structural advantages over other countries," says Prof. Uzi Rebhun of Hebrew University, who examined "country-level characteristics of the timing of the coronavirus outbreak and its morbidity and case-fatality rates."
The coronavirus cabinet is expected to debate the possibility of expanding the groups eligible for a third COVID vaccine. Experts say Delta variant "spreads like wildfire" as doctors study whether it makes patients sicker.
With over 28,000 Israelis aged 60 and over receiving third COVID vaccine dose, Bennett calls for fivefold increase in vaccination pace. Goal is "ambitious yet possible," PM says. Infection rate nears 3% as 2,114 test positive for virus.
UK variant, stricter criteria for hospitalization resulted in one in every five coronavirus patients dying from the disease in the third wave of the pandemic, Health Ministry data shows.
As Israel's infection rate hits 3.17%, Health Ministry Director-General Ash advises Israelis against performing serological test to gauge their antibody levels before deciding whether to get booster shot. This could cause confusion, he says.
"The coronavirus is deadly and dangerous, but thanks to this, we will be able to lead normal lives," president says. Number of seriously ill COVID patients doubles in a week, hits 167, with 26 on ventilators.
Iran and Cuba will produce millions of doses of Soberana 2 in the Middle Eastern country under the name PastuCovac.
Most of the new cases and hospitalized patients are unvaccinated people, says head of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean region Ahmed al-Mandhari.
Healthcare providers to offer third jab to Israelis 60 and over who received their second jab more than months ago.
The decision comes hours after a special advisory panel recommended Israel start giving a booster shot to mitigate waning antibody level for those vaccinated in early stages of vaccine drive.