Unclear if Israel’s largest chain of infection to date involves a COVID mutation. Health Ministry calls for month-long shutdown of Ben-Gurion Airport. Public Health Services chief: Morbidity rate very worrying.
Health Ministry head Hezi Levi says third lockdown will not be extended.
Meanwhile, every passenger entering Israel must now present a negative COVID test upon arrival.
As of Friday, four babies age 13 days to two years old were hospitalized in a newly-established COVID unit at Hadassah Ein Karem Medical Center. Three were listed in serious condition.
Vaccination campaign continues at full speed, with Health Minister Yuli Edelstein announcing another daily record after 224,000 Israelis jabbed.
Health Ministry is set to launch a 'green building' trial in which employees and visitors at the Negev Center in Beersheba will be tested upon arrival to the building and receive the results within 10 minutes. Teens age 16-18 can now be vaccinated.
Military Intelligence reports that confirmed carriers now infect fewer than one person each, a sign that the latest outbreak could be slowing. Meanwhile, 367 hospitalized patients are listed in critical condition, with 317 on ventilators.
Coronavirus chief: 40% of infected carrying UK mutation of virus. Across the country, 10 pregnant women hospitalized in serious condition amid concerns country's latest wave more violent than predecessors.
Palestinian Authority orders Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine and hopes to administer it to 50,000 residents by March.
"What should be guiding us all is saving lives and preventing the collapse of the healthcare system," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells cabinet, urging members to vote in favor of extending the current lockdown.
