Coronavirus Outbreak

National corona commissioner Prof. Nahman Ash estimates that people will be allowed to stop wearing protective masks in the open air in several weeks.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz cancels a cabinet meeting scheduled to confirm vaccine contracts over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "refusal" to approve him as permanent justice minister.

Financial news agency Bloomberg hails Israel's vaccination drive, says the fast-paced campaign means that Israel is able to move faster with reopening its borders, while the other nations in the top five have to keep those under tight control.

Israelis may be able to go mask-free outdoors in near future, although indoor requirement to remain in place, Nachman Ash says. Although low, Israel's infection rate climbs 0.2% over past 24 hours.

Israel's infection rate drops to 1.1% as just 470 people test positive for the coronavirus. COVID-19 reproduction rate down 50% over the last month and now stands at 0.55.

The virus is steadily subsiding in Israel, but the Military Intelligence Directorate reports that it is on the rise in Brazil, Eastern Europe and New York.

The number marks the lowest since late December. Meanwhile, the reproduction rate also continues to drop and now stands at 0.6.

As Israel's percentage of positive COVID tests at 4-month low of 1.5%, coronavirus coordinator Professor Nachman Ash warns Independence Day entertainment might be a no-go this year.

Just 285 of the 17,438 people who tested for the coronavirus were found to be infected with COVID-19, Saturday, for an infection rate of 1.7%. Israel currently has 18,309 active cases of the virus, 561 of which are serious.

863 patients hospitalized, including 558 in serious or critical condition. Death toll reaches 6,071. Sport and cultural events can take place with up to 3,000 spectators inside or 5,000 in the open air.