Israel’s New COVID Cases Pass 700 for Second Straight Day

Israel on Wednesday reported over 700 new cases of COVID-19 for the second consecutive day as the new Omicron variant appears to pick up pace.

The Health Ministry said 786 people tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, and after 106,500 tests had been conducted, the infection rate now stands at 0.75%. The R value – indicating the spread of illness in the community – is reported to be above 1 for the second day in a row, having recently fallen below 1.

According to the ministry, 56% of those found to have been infected were under the age of 11, some 7% were aged 12-15 and only 4% were in the over-60 age group – considered the at-risk section of the population.

The data also showed that 54% of infections were found in the general population, 24% in the chareidi sector and 21% in the Arab sector.

There are 142 people currently hospitalized for treatment after developing complications from COVID. At least 102 of them are in serious condition, of whom 59 are connected to ventilators. The number of hospitalizations is the lowest figure reported since late July.

There are now six local authorities in Israel classified as “red” due to high morbidity and two neighborhoods in Yerushalayim that are also classified “red.”

In Teveria, where 48 people are sick with the virus, a surge of 380% was reported in the past week.

In Ofakim a 210% surge was reported and in Ra’anana, the rise in cases has seen as a 180% increase.