Ministry of Health officials believe that third-wave viral morbidity is sweeping and declining, reducing the current lock-in restrictions, according to a television report on Wednesday. .
Thursday marks a week since Israel entered a tense lock that is expected to last until Jan. 21, though officials have reiterated that the rules may extend beyond their head- that day.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Health Ministry officials Thursday to discuss whether the restrictions should be extended. Some health officials will support opening the rules if there is a decline in the number of serious cases, Channel 12 News reported.
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Netanyahu’s talks on Thursday will also include talks on so-called “green licenses” that will give some benefits to Israelis who have received their second dose of vaccine.
Channel 13 News reported on the Ministry of Health’s guidance Wednesday for easing the lock: In the first phase, nurseries and grades 1-4 and 11-12 will reopen partially, as will be street front stores, the report said. In the second stage, levels 5–10 resume inspections and “green passport” holders are granted special exemptions, such as permission to attend cultural events. In the third phase, restaurants and cafes will reopen.
The staff of Hadassah Medical Center will receive the second round of the COVID-19 vaccine, at Hadassah Medical Center, in Jerusalem, January 11, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel / Flash90)
Israeli mortality remains high, with a peak of 9,665 new diseases on Monday, and 9,226 cases on Tuesday. A further 4,795 virus cases were diagnosed Wednesday before the evening, bringing the number of active infections to 77,650, the Ministry of Health said.
The death toll is 3,803 and 1,094 patients are in critical condition.
According to the ministry, 9,226 cases were confirmed Tuesday and 7.3% of the tests returned positive.
The high rate of disease is due to Israel’s slowing progressive vaccination program.
Just 100,000 people received their first dose of vaccine this week, according to Channel 13. Ministry of Health officials had pledged to maintain a daily vaccination rate of more than 200,000. Health providers said the ministry was not giving them enough vaccines and citing supply problems in managing the scenes, Channel 13 said.
Israel has seen a shortage of vaccines in the past few days, but Pfizer has resumed delivery and is expected to deliver hundreds of thousands of doses a week. Another half a million vaccines are expected to reach Israel early next week.
The Ministry of Health said Wednesday afternoon that 24,421 Israelis have been vaccinated since midnight, bringing the majority to more than 1.9 million. More than 85,000 Israelis have received the second dose of the vaccine.
More than 21% of Israelis have received the first dose of vaccine, and nearly 1% have received the second dose. In Jerusalem, 10.5% have been shot, and in Tel Aviv, 19.7%.
Hospital staff transport new patient to coronavirus ward at Ziv medical center in Israeli city of Tzfat, January 7, 2020. (David Cohen / Flash90)
Building on the speed of the vaccine campaign, new strains of the virus are emerging.
The Ministry of Health confirmed Wednesday that four additional cases of the South African coronavirus variant have been detected in Israel, bringing the total number of cases to eight. One of the issues was a 9-year-old girl, raising fears that the variable could have been circulated in her school before the lockout took place.
The strain is believed to be more contagious, though not more lethal. Some doubts have been raised about the effectiveness of the vaccine in protecting recipients from this variant.
The UK variant of the virus, which is also thought to be more contagious, has been found in Israel and officials have estimated its prevalence in the population.
Ministry of Health officials are also concerned about various new viruses from Brazil and are considering forcing people to come from Brazil to quarantine in designated hotels. All international entrants require quarantine, but most are remote at home. The Brazilian variant was found in travelers to Japan.
Israeli Defense Forces recorded 1,506 active virus cases in the army on Wednesday, the highest number since the outbreak began.
All soldiers have mild marks. Another 12,339 are in quarantine, the military said.