COVID chief: Israel's ICU units already at 'peak capacity'
Health Ministry's Chief COVID-19 Officer Professor Salman Zarka says Omicron wave will be like nothing we've seen before, stresses that vaccines provide the best protection.
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Bennett: Time is up – 5th wave is here
"Don't depend on your neighbor being vaccinated – it won't help you," prime minister says at cabinet meeting as Health Ministry reports highest virus reproduction rate since early September.
62 students test positive for COVID in suspected Omicron outbreak in Jerusalem
Reports suggest infection caused by Israeli family returning from South Africa, who violated self-isolation guidelines. Government kicks off new quarantine guidelines for returnees from abroad. Palestinian Health Ministry detects three Omicron cases in West Bank.
Israel weighs designating all foreign countries 'red'
On Sunday, the government will convene to vote on whether to ban travel to the US, Canada, Portugal, Turkey, Germany, Hungary, Morocco, and Belgium.
Israel to donate 1 million COVID vaccines to African nations
Weary of the spread of the Omicron variant, the government adds Norway, Ireland, Finland, France, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates to its no-fly list. Coronavirus infection rate stands at 0.79% as 741 Israelis test positive.
Expert warns Omicron variant could trigger vaccine inequality
Dr. Seth Berkley says rich countries are beginning to withhold vaccines due to fear over the new strain. Pfizer reports COVID pill near 90% effective against hospitalization and death. Morbidity in Israel remains low as 673 test positive for the virus.
Decision to apply Green Pass rules to malls outrages MKs, retailers
PM mandates vaccination certificates in shopping centers, a move mall executives call "inapplicable and detached from reality." MK Eli Avidar: The democratic public is losing the little trust it has left and in the culprits who participate in this madness.
Bennett in quarantine after COVID case reported on flight from UAE
South African study indicates that two doses of Pfizer vaccine appear to provide 70% protection against hospitalization in cases of breakthrough COVID infections.
Israel's COVID numbers drop as world studies Omicron variant
Health authorities concerned that 80 cases could potentially be the new variant. Meanwhile, more adult Israelis getting vaccinated as campaign to jab kids fails to pick up steam.
Israel introduces travel ban for 3 European countries due to Omicron spread
Israel has already banned the entry of foreigners to try to stem COVID-19 infection rates and imposed 3-7 day self-isolation orders for Israelis returning from abroad.