Israel on Tuesday reported a mass coronavirus outbreak at three schools in a West Bank settlement.
The Health Ministry said that 193 students and faculty have tested positive for the virus at Ma'ale Adumim, with 25 confirmed with the Omicron coronavirus strain.
Officials believe that one outbreak at the settlement's Ort Dekel Vilna'i High School, where 61 students were infected, originated from two staff members, who were not fully vaccinated.
25 of new cases were caused by the Omicron variant of COVID.
As a result, the Ma'ale Adumin Municipality said that schools where the Omicron strain was detected will be shut down and the students will switch to remote studies starting Sunday.
Mayor Benny Kashriel said that the IDF Home Front Command will assist in establishing more testing facilities for the community. In addition, vaccination efforts and policing of restrictions will increase.
The Health Ministry said earlier that 1,306 people tested positive for COVID on Monday, and after 104,334 tests were conducted, indicating a 1.27% positivity rate, the highest in over two months.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was scheduled to meet with the coronavirus cabinet to decide on further measures in an effort to slow the spread of Omicron.
Bennett said the government's aim is to keep schools and the economy open but restrictions will be needed.
First published: 12:38, 12.21.21