Israel sees lowest COVID-19 positive rate since Mid-July
The fourth Coronavirus (COVID-19) wave in Israel is apparently fading away, as the country recorded the lowest COVID-19 stats in months.
Inside the Coronavirus Unit in Herzog Medical Center in Jerusalem as the 4th COVID-19 wave driven by Delta variant is continuing to spread across Israel. Jerusalem, Aug 3, 2021. Photo by Shalev Shalom/TPS
The Ministry of Health updated Monday that 1,199 Israelis tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, out of about 83,000 tests performed, with 1.45% of them returning positive – the lowest rate recorded since mid-July.
372 are hospitalized in critical condition, of whom 162 are on life support.
The outcome of the third Pfizer-developed booster vaccine administered to over 3,846,000 Israelis in recent weeks is apparently taking effect.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated during the Cabinet meeting on Sunday that “while it is possible to say with caution that we are defeating the fourth wave, the Delta wave, it isn’t over until it’s over. We are not taking the foot off the gas and are not taking off the masks. Therefore, as we are managing the gradual exit from the Delta wave, we are preparing the infrastructure for the ‘Omega’ scenario, the code name for a new variant, and of course, we are preparing for the winter, for a combination of flu and the coronavirus.”
“We are not closing down the command centers. We are not closing the ‘Magen Avot’ project for safeguarding the elderly. We are leaving the networks for dealing with the virus open and functioning and are continuing to see to full stocks of vaccines and tests, and so forth,” he added.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Health has informed the HMOs that starting Thursday, the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be possible. The ministry explained that those who could not be vaccinated with the other types due to medical reasons, or who have been referred for vaccination in special circumstances by the doctor, can get the British-Swedish developed vaccine.
The death toll from the pandemic in Israel stands at 7,999.
