Health Ministry says 5,238 new cases have been confirmed between Thursday and Friday, setting yet another negative record. Restriction on movement somewhat relaxed from 500 yards from one's home to 1,000 yards.
Israel has so far recorded 172,322 corona cases, including 1,163 deaths. Health Minister Yuli Edelstein: Rather than bristle over restrictions, the public should ask, 'What can I do so we will see a drop in infection rate?'”
National Coronavirus Knowledge and Information Center points out that rise in number of cases cannot be attributed to increased testing, as the percentage of positive results is also rising.
Up to 20 people can pray in minyans held out of doors. Inside, groups are to be separated by plastic sheeting. Chief rabbi, religious Zionist rabbis urge Israelis to listen for a nationwide shofar blow at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Hospitals in northern Israel and Jerusalem forced to send patients to units in central Israel as serious cases and number of patients on ventilators rises. Meanwhile, Yale study shows that COVID can attack the brain as well as the lungs.
Professor Idit Matot, a senior adviser to coronavirus commissioner Professor Ronni Gamzu, warns shutting down the economy for the second time in six months will be ineffective. "I'm deeply disappointed. I'm sorry I was unable to prevent it," she says.
PM Netanyahu says drastic measures were unavoidable. "I promise you – we will get through this together. There will be a vaccine and I'm hopeful," he concluded. Health Minister Edelstein: Public must follow directives or all of this will have been for nothing.
Cabinet ministers were poised to approve key decisions to help Israelis cope with nationwide shutdown starting on Friday. Schools to continue operating until Rosh Hashanah to accommodate parents.
Cabinet slated to approve guidelines that would allow only small groups to pray inside. Police: The last thing we want to do is enforce these rules, we expect the rabbis to urge the public to follow the regulations.
Over 4,000 COVID carriers identified from Thursday to Friday. Nearly 1,000 hospitalized, with 134 on ventilators. Government set to fast-track vote on nationwide shutdown to start on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
