Some 293 new coronavirus cases were identified in Israel on Tuesday, out of about 63,000 tests performed according to a Wednesday update by the Health Ministry. Both numbers are similar to those of the previous day as well as being the highest such figures in about two months.
In the past two weeks, since the beginning of several outbreaks in Israeli schools, the numbers of new virus carriers identified daily has increased from 10 or 20 to the current figures, while active cases surged from fewer than 200 to almost 1,800. However, the number of serious patients has remained stable between 20 and 25 – in the first half of April, there were still around 150.
At the same time, the vaccination campaign has also regained speed. Almost 20,000 shots were administered on Tuesday, also the highest in two months. Over half of them were given to children ages 12-15, whose inoculation is considered by the government a high priority and an important tool to prevent further outbreaks. The cohort represents a high number of current active cases. So far, some 77,000 have received their first dose, out of a population of about 550,000.
Also on Wednesday, the Health Ministry announced that two guests who stayed at the Leonardo Hotel in the Dead Sea between June 23 and 26 and participated in the dancing activities at the hotel were found to be positive for the virus. All those who also attended the activities were asked to get tested even if they do not show any symptoms or are vaccinated or have recovered.
Unvaccinated individuals were required to go into quarantine, while people considered fully immunized were asked to isolate until they receive the results of the test.
In the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, the Knesset extended the validity of the laws regarding the pandemic for another five months.
In addition, on Wednesday the Constitution and Law Committee discussed the government’s decision to declare violating the prohibition of traveling to banned countries a criminal sanction without seeking parliamentary approval.
“This redline will not be crossed again: Next time it happens we will cancel the sanction,” said committee chairman Labor MK Gilad Kariv.
Earlier this week, a NIS 5,000 fine was approved for those who fly to countries under travel ban – at the moment Argentina, Brazil, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa – without obtaining the required permission from the designated special governmental committee.