494 new COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in Israel on Thursday, out of 70,569 tests administered, the Health Ministry announced.

Of them, 135 are in serious condition with 91 ventilated.

So far, 4 million Israelis have received their booster shot, with 5.7 million getting jabbed twice and 6.2 getting their first shot.

The death toll stands at 8,154.