More than 10pc test positive for coronavirus

The coronavirus cabinet convenes on Tuesday to extend the two-week lockdown ending on Thursday for at least another week, although the Health Ministry is demanding a two-week extension in view of the alarming figures.
More than 10,000 new covid cases were recorded on Monday and an alarming 10.4pc tested positive for the virus. The hospitals report 1,188 serious cases with 295 patients on ventilators. Deaths increased to a total of 4,044.

The ministry attributes the unbridled spread of the virus to imported variants, estimating that the UK strain accounts for 40pc of the new cases. Restrictions on air travel are therefore high on the cabinet’s agenda.

Altogether 2,177 million Israelis have been vaccinated including 410,00 recipients of their second dose.