Nearly 50% of all Israeli coronavirus cases diagnosed since February were recorded during September alone, according to Health Ministry
As of August 31 - 116,882 Israelis have been diagnosed with coronavirus. However, since September 1 - 118,583 people have been diagnosed with the pathogen, more than half of all cases since the start of the pandemic in the country.
The Health Ministry Tuesday evening also reported that 2,009 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed since midnight, putting the national caseload at 235,465.
The ministry added that the number of patients in serious condition increased to 778, out of which 203 are connected ventilators.
In addition, 13 more people succumbed to the pathogen, raising the national death toll to 1,523.
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A police checkpoint in Tel Aviv as part of the national coronavirus lockdown
(Photo: AFP)
Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said Tuesday the country's coronavirus lockdown is expected to be extended past its expiration date of October 10.
“The lockdown will not be lifted - unequivocally. There is no scenario in which we will lift all restrictions in 10 days and say, ‘everything is over, everything is fine,”' said Edelstein.
Netanyahu also reiterated the same estimate, saying during a Facebook Live event that "It would not be less than a month, it could take longer."
In addition, Edelstein referred to the implications of the prayers that were held in synagogues on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
"I want to say unequivocally, following the Rosh Hashanah prayers that took place contrary to the outline approved by the Health Ministry... we will face a new wave of infections in these courtyards and synagogues where hundreds and even thousands of people crowded to pray," he added.