The Ministry of Health updated this morning (Monday) that 2,821 new infections were diagnosed in Corona yesterday. The results of about 70,000 tests were obtained, and the rate of positive tests increased to 4.1%.
24,992 people are defined as active blues, of whom 838 are hospitalized. The condition of 456 patients is severely defined, including 117 respirators. More than 376,000 corona carriers have been identified in Israel since the outbreak of the plague. The death toll stands at 3,101.
Against the background of the continuing rise in morbidity and fear of the mutation of the virus that has been discovered in the UK and other countries, the Corona Cabinet will convene again this morning in an attempt to make decisions on further restrictions. Yesterday, the cabinet was dissolved without a decision, due to disagreements that arose between the ministers. Last night it was reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is examining the possibility of imposing another full closure, the third in number, across the country.
During the meeting yesterday, the cabinet ministers approved Netanyahu’s proposal, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein and the National Security Council staff and the Ministry of Health, to stop flights from Britain, Denmark and South Africa, and to isolate returning Israelis from these destinations in hotels. C, due to the fear of the mutation. Transport Minister Miri Regev expressed her opposition to this yesterday.
Italy announced last night that a person infected with the new corona virus mutation has been found in its territory. The carrier and another person have returned in recent days from the UK on a flight that landed at Rome airport. Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands have announced the suspension of flights from the United Kingdom to their territories. The EU will convene today to discuss a coordinated response.
In a videotaped statement issued after the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said: “Yesterday we heard from World Health Organization officials about the new corona virus mutation, and we also heard British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement about the spread of the virus with the mutation in his country.”
“I convened a team of ministers immediately last night to discuss this, and I convened the cabinet today to make important decisions. According to the information we have, this mutation spreads much faster than the normal virus but is no longer deadly, nor do we have any sign that the vaccine we have is not increasing. “At the moment this is the information we have, we are of course following.”
“As we embark today on the huge vaccination campaign, we also have another challenge that we must address,” Netanyahu clarified. “We are doing everything we can to prevent the mutation from entering Israel. We made a difficult decision today – but it is a reality. We have closed the skies to all flights to Israel from the UK, Denmark and South Africa. These are the countries where the mutation is present. If necessary we will add more countries.”
“Everyone who returns from these countries will go into isolation, and it is very important that he be tested. Especially now, with the vaccine in our hands and when we see the light at the end of the tunnel, it is important that we continue to follow the rules. We will continue to make the right decisions for your health and our country.”