Over 11,000 IDF Soldiers infected with Corona or are in quarantine
More than 11,000 IDF servicemen have been infected with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) or are in quarantine, placing a strain on the military. Special and crucial units have moved to operating in capsules to minimize the possibility of broad infection.
People stand in line at the Coronavirus testing center in Jerusalem’s Cinema City, as the number of Israelis testing positive for the Omicron variant continues to rise. Jerusalem, Jan 6, 2022. Photo by Shalev Shalom/TPS
The number of daily COVID-19 continued to skyrocket on Monday, as an estimated 33,000 cases were registered on Sunday, the highest number registered since the outbreak sone two years ago.
Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau and his wife tested positive for the virus, as well as Minister of Public Security Omer Barlev, and Member of Knesset Ofir Katz. All are reportedly in good condition.
The government met on Sunday evening for another discussion on the chaotic Corona situation and again issued confusing and seemingly contradictory guidelines.
Israel again saw another day of hours-long waiting lines for COVID-19 tests, as the government said it was again thinking of changing the testing program.
223 patients are hospitalized in serious condition, 69 of them on life support. While these numbers are still low and manageable, the number of new patients admitted in the past week constitutes a 192% increase, causing alarm in the health system.
Estimates show that between two and four million Israelis will be infected with the virus in the coming weeks.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett conceded Sunday during the Cabinet meeting that he is “aware that the situation is not easy.”
He attempted to calm the agitated public by stating that “we will find the balance between a functioning economy and management of the crisis. This wave will not last forever. There will be several tough weeks but we will get through them together.”
