Israel will consider reintroducing further health restrictions if the coronavirus infection rate in the country continues to rise, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Sunday, after the Health Ministry reported 185 new cases the day before.
Israel currently has 2,455 active cases - a massive increase from the 200 or so cases of two weeks ago.
The explosion in the infection rate is being attributed to the Delta variant, which is considerably more infectious than other strains of the virus, and a recent lack of oversight at Ben-Gurion Airport that saw thousands of Israelis return to the country without undergoing testing.
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Testing for coronavirus in Binyamina in northern Israel, where an outbreak was recently reported
(Photo: AP)
"In the past week there has been an increase in the rate of new coronavirus infections and thanks to previous lessons leaned we are not waiting to protect the health our citizens. We must realize that the Delta strain is raging around the world with a far higher rate of infection than all the previous strains and we intend to protect the citizens of Israel," Bennett said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.
The prime minister urged Israelis to abide by regulations in order to minimize the impact on daily life while offering "maximum protection" against the virus.
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Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, flanked by Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, left, and Cabinet Secretary Shalom Shlomo
(Photo: Reuters)
Bennett praised the 100,000 or so Israelis aged 12-15 years who were vaccinated in recent days, but said that it was not enough and urged others to take get jabbed as quickly as possible as much of Israel's stock of vaccines is due to expire by the end of July.
"Time is running out; anyone who has not yet been vaccinated is asked to make an appointment today. The vaccines are working [against the Delta strain and] the second vaccine is crucial. There are five days left for people to get the first shot so we can utilize of the doses that expire at the end of the month," Bennett said.
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Michal Bennett, the 14-year-old daughter of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, receiving her first coronavirus jab in Ra'anana last week
(Photo: Clalit HMO)
Despite additional vaccination centers being opened, only 2,571 Israelis went Saturday to have their first dose of the COVID vaccine.
So far, just 13% of 12-year-olds and 20% of 13-15 year-olds have received their first shot, according to the Health Ministry.
The ministry also said that vaccination rates among ultra-Orthodox and Arab adolescents are still low compared to the general population.
Bennett urged people to wear masks in enclosed areas, a regulation reinstated two weeks after it was lifted as infection rates rose once again.
"The best vaccine against coronavirus is the masks," Bennett said, urging people to avoid crowded places.
"If we do not have the cooperation of the citizens and the scope of the disease continues to grow, we will consider reinstating some of the restrictions of the 'Green Passport,'" the prime minister said, referring to the limitations on people who have not been vaccinated or have not recovered from COVID-19.
While Israel's death toll since the start of the pandemic remains at 6,429, with the last recorded fatality occurring a week and a half ago, there has been an increase in the number of serious cases.
With 38,938 tests conducted Saturday, the contagion rate stands at 0.5%.
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Construction is underway on a massive coronavirus testing facility at Ben-Gurion Airport
Work began Friday on a massive testing center at Ben-Gurion Airport for the upcoming summer vacation season.
The 1,500 square meter facility - jointly operated by the defense, transportation and health ministries - will be able to conduct 2,500 tests an hour.