Coronavirus Outbreak

Downward trend in morbidity continues as test positive ratio hits the lowest figure in weeks. Health Minister Edelstein "optimistic" but urges patience with restrictions.

Health Ministry data shows that there are currently 51,698 active cases, including 823 patients in serious condition, but the infection rate is at 7.7%, down from a peak of 15.1%.

Infections among medical teams in coronavirus units, where they are equipped with maximal personal protective gear, are very rare, expert says.

Ministry's plan includes resuming public activity over four months, starting on Oct.18 – if morbidity data allows. Plan calls for preschools, most businesses to reopen, nixes restrictions on travel.

Some 46,188 tests carried out on Thursday, yielding a positivity rate of 8% – the lowest since early September.

"No one is persecuting the Haredi sector and I will not let that happen. But on the other hand, there is no special treatment either," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells Haredi radio station Kol Barama.

Survey samples 55,000 Israelis, finds that a higher percentage of men than women have contracted the virus. Some 8.1% of children between the ages of 10 and 18 have been infected. Health Ministry: Number of Israelis testing positive for the virus continues to drop.

Prime Minister meets with over 200 local leaders on Zoom. Leaders ask that he appoint a representative of local government to the Corona cabinet.

The 10.5% positive test rate is still among the highest in the world, according to the National Coronavirus Knowledge and Information Center, which says it will likely take around 90 days to reach the government's goal of 400 new confirmed cases per day for lifting the nationwide lockdown.