Health Ministry records 501 new cases, the highest number of daily infections since March. Officials at Ben-Gurion airport struggle to enforce government regulations to prevent a spike in morbidity over passengers who evade COVID screening.
Health Ministry to present coronavirus cabinet with proposals for limiting the spread of the virus. There are currently 2,597 active cases in Israel, with 35 patients in serious condition. Spike in infections reflects significant community spread, officials say.
Health officials are also considering administering a third vaccine dose for people with weakened immune systems. Meanwhile additional vaccination site at Ben Gurion Airport could increase inoculation capability to 2,500 tests per hour.
"It's possible we're at the beginning of a wave, but it will be much more tolerable, without lockdowns and at the very worst, 'Green Pass' restrictions," says Prof. Gili Regev, the Director of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Sheba Medical Center.
As Delta variant continues to spread, health officials warn daily coronavirus diagnoses, currently at around 300, will jump to 500-600 by next week. Interior minister warns that if morbidity continues to spike Israel may have to shutter Ben-Gurion airport.
Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli instructs Ben-Gurion Airport to direct arrivals from countries with a high infection rate into a separate terminal.
Officials attribute the spike to the Delta strain which is "twice as contagious and deadly as the British variant." Prime Minister Naftali Bennett calls on teenagers to get immunized, warning doses expire at the end of July.
Strategic Affairs Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen: It's people's own fault if they don't get vaccinated. PM Bennett urges youth ages 12-16 to get vaccinated. Some 44 COVID patients hospitalized, with 16 on ventilators.
PM Bennett says government promotes vaccination rather than lockdowns, urges vaccines for children age 12 and up; Corona cabinet to debate new public health restrictions in light of Delta variant; 26 COVID patients hospitalized in serious condition; IDF no longer COVID-free.
Police in central Israeli city question 43-year-old father who sent his unvaccinated daughter to school in violation of quarantine guidelines upon returning from overseas, leading to outbreak among students.