Israel registers a new record of daily infections of coronavirus in full vaccination of the fourth dose

Israel today registered a new record of daily infections of coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 16,000 new infections, while anticipating an exponential increase in cases in the coming weeks due to the spread of the omicron variant.

The percentage of positives yesterday reached almost 8% among more than 206,000 tests carried out, and more than 72,000 people – in a country with a population of 9.4 million – are currently infected, according to data released today by the Ministry of Health.

On the other hand, serious cases are still relatively few, and only 134 patients are admitted in critical condition.

However, authorities are preparing to face a rapid increase in infections due to the omicron: Prime Minister Naftali Benet warned this past Sunday that Israel could reach some 20,000 daily cases by the end of the week, and even 50,000 at the peak of this fifth wave, which could also increase hospital pressure.

At the same time, the Government is launching new measures to keep the economy open and the daily routine with new protocols to cope with the progressive growth of morbidity at the same time.

The Ministry of Education will carry out rapid tests for COVID-19 at the beginning of the day in schools to guarantee face-to-face classes and avoid returning to distance lessons.

Likewise, the authorities established a new policy for coronavirus tests that will start tomorrow: only people over 60 years of age or at risk will do PCR tests if they were in contact with infected, while all those vaccinated under this age will undergo antigen testing.

In turn, Israel expects infection rates to decline as it progresses with the fourth-dose vaccination campaign for medical personnel and adults over 60 years of age.

The process started this past Monday, and since then this new Pfizer vaccine booster has already been administered to more than 72,000 people, according to Health data.

In addition to vaccination to avoid serious diseases, the country is committed to treatments and already administers the Pfizer pill, Paxlovid, to patients. It also recently approved the use of the Merck pill, pending its first shipment.

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