Coronavirus Commissioner Professor Salman Zarka believes the current restrictions imposed on public life are insufficient to quell the outbreak fueled by the highly aggressive Delta variant.
As Israel records its highest numbers of new daily cases since February, a group of experts from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who accurately predicted the current COVID wave issues grim warning if morbidity is not brought down.
Social media users say the government has mismanagement over slow vaccinations with only 3.8 million people fully vaccinated in a population of 83 million.
"This disease constantly challenges us," health official says of newest coronavirus strain dubbed Lambda, which is said to be highly infectious but still no match to the Delta strain, which is particularly aggressive.
Although the data is still only initial and incomplete, it seems to coincide with the initial findings relating to side-effects among 12-15-year olds who have already received special authorization to vaccinate prior to others in their age group because of severe pre-existing medical conditions.
The US Food and Drug Administration amends its emergency use authorization for Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to allow a third jab for organ transplant recipients or those with similarly weakend immune systems.
Team will compete in nine sports in the delayed 2020 Summer Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5. "Our athletes are heroes," says president of the Israel Paralympic Committee.
"Lockdowns are truly a last resort," says Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, adding "Our goal is simple: to preserve the health of Israelis, and also to preserve the economic future of Israel."
Israel Hayom poll shows that 67% of Israelis are worried about the latest COVID outbreak, but only 45% see a lockdown during the High Holidays as an appropriate course of action. 51% of respondents say Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is the best person to serve as PM.
Likud MKs blast agreement that would see hospitals receive extra medical workers on condition they stay mum if they become overwhelmed. Netanyahu blasts PM, Shaked for wasting time instead of saving lives.
