Israel's coronavirus R-value — which indicates how many people on average a single COVID-19 carrier infects — has topped 1 for the first time in months, the Health Ministry reported Monday, indicating the pandemic is on the rise again, albeit moderately.
According to the ministry, 1,082 people tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday and 9,360 Israelis have been confirmed to carry the virus since the beginning of September — an average of around 850 confirmed infections a day.
Daily infections are still a long haul from August's numbers, which stood at about 1,630 average daily infections, and July's 7,350.
There are currently 100 people hospitalized in serious condition for COVID-19 across Israel, 38 of them were connected to ventilators.
Exactly one month ago, on August 12, the number of seriously ill patients stood at 251, and 413 on July 12. Seven of the seriously ill are less than 50 years old, nine are in their 50s, 18 are 60-69 years old, 25 are 70-79 years old and 33 are over 80 years old. No data was provided regarding other patients in serious condition.
Ministry data also show that 14 COVID-19 patients have passed away since the beginning of August, but that figure may be higher due to reporting delays. In August, 200 coronavirus patients passed away, 17 of them on August 1 alone.
In comparison, 143 and 425 coronavirus patients have died in June and July, respectively.
Meanwhile, the number of active coronavirus carriers in Israeli stood at 8,824, most of whom were isolating at home with mild or no symptoms at all.