Bennett: Israel at ‘Critical Stage’ in Battle with COVID-19
Israel is at “a critical stage” in its battle with the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, while expressing satisfaction at the decline in the number of serious cases in the country.
Inside the Coronavirus Unit in Herzog Medical Center in Jerusalem as the 4th COVID-19 wave driven by Delta variant is continuing to spread across Israel. Jerusalem, Aug 3, 2021. Photo by Shalev Shalom/TPS
Some 3,472,000 Israelis have received the third COVID-19 booster, and a decreasing 2.76% of the tests done over the weekend returned positive. After counting some 700 patients hospitalized in serious condition for several weeks, the number on Sunday dropped to 588.
Bennett noted on Saturday night the “increasing signs that the pandemic has been blocked, without the imposition of lockdowns or far-reaching restrictions on the public.”
“However, there is still no reason to celebrate given that efforts to block the virus are still underway,” he said.
“We are at a critical stage, with the reopening of the education system and our intention to end large-scale quarantines and move to a model of extensive testing and the quarantine of verified cases only,” he pointed out. The Jewish school system was closed most of September due to the Jewish High Holidays.
“It is precisely now that we must be strict about the Green Pass, be careful and not become complacent. I call on whoever has not been vaccinated as required – do so as soon as possible! The vaccine saves lives and the extent to which people in the country have been vaccinated is what enables us to stay open and stay functioning,” he said.
Corona Czar Prof. Salman Zarka commented on the decreasing infection rate and told 103FM Radio on Sunday that “the data certainly show a decrease in both the number of positive cases and the number of severe patients. Unfortunately, the very severe cases have not exactly decreased, I think there is optimism that these figures will continue.”
However, the economy is back to full activity after the holidays and Zarka expressed concern over a rise in infections in the coming weeks.
“A certain increase in morbidity is expected, because we are re-mixing again, it is quite possible. I am nevertheless optimistic and believe that the decline will continue,” he said.
The updated Green Pass granted to the vaccinated, which now takes into consideration the third vaccine, went into effect at midnight, but many Israelis who tried to produce it on the Ministry of Health’s website and in the dedicated application encountered disruptions. Therefore, the old Green Pass will also be valid for the next three days. Some 2 million Israelis are expected to lose their Green Pass.
The great courage with having the third booster has up to now shown greater protection for the at risk particularly .
Now there is also an antiviral tablet added to the clash with the cruelty of nature but in part due to the horrible cruelty of humans to the animal species .