Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash says Israel analyzing data to see whether to offer third coronavirus vaccine dose. "If there is a way to protect the population with a booster shot, this must be done," he says.
"We're on top of it, believe me. For at least a month [we've been working on] things that need to come to fruition. We're very close. The less we talk about it, the greater chance it'll happen. I'm on it," Prime Minister Naftali Bennett says during visit to nursing home in Jerusalem.
Coronavirus Knowledge Center warns that reproduction rate indicates that number of positive tests and active cases in Israel could double within 10 days. Nearly 30% of youth ages 12-16 vaccinated.
With over 100 people now seriously ill with the coronavirus, Health Ministry calls number of people hospitalized with virus "worrying." If officials find vaccine efficacy declines over time, third dose may be discussed, ministry says.
Small sample suggests double-vaccinated Israelis who received their final jab in January are twice as likely to get infected with coronavirus than those who received their jabs at a later date.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urges Israelis to get inoculated as the number of serious patients nears 100. “The rate in which the number of serious patients is growing is significant, similar to the rate of increase in new cases,” Health Ministry chief says.
Eighty-one Israelis are in serious condition, 17 of whom are on ventilators. With infections on the rise, Health Ministry data shows officials have verified quarantine status of less than half of those in isolation.
"If these 1 million refuse to be vaccinated, it will force the other 8 million in lockdown," PM warns. Data shows vaccines are 91% effective at preventing serious cases, but only 39% effective at preventing transmission.
Starting July 29, entrance to events with more than 100 participants will be limited to holders of Green Pass or those with a recent negative test.
Israel currently has 9,673 active cases of the coronavirus compared to 5,436 last week. There are 72 Israelis hospitalized in serious condition, 15 of whom are on ventilators.