Israel on Monday saw its coronavirus spread drop in the general sector but spike in the ultra-Orthodox community.
The Health Ministry said the country's overall basic reproduction number (R) has fallen from 1.02 to 0.99, while in the Haredi community the figure has climbed from 1 to 1.07. In the Arab sector the R number has also decreased from 1.04 to 0.98.
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A clown comes to entertain patients in coronavirus ward at Shaare Zedek Medical Center
(Photo: Ziv Koren )
The ministry said that on Sunday 2,331 people tested positive for COVID-19 after 65,036 tests had been conducted, putting the contagion rate at 3.7% - the lowest the figure has been in recent months.
At least 708 patients are in serious condition, of whom 223 are ventilated. The official death toll now stands at 5,899.
The ministry added that so far 4,960,396 Israelis have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, while 3,789,118 have been given both.
The latests numbers were published in the wake of the lifting of major health restrictions on Sunday, some for the first time since September.
Restaurants, cafes and bars reopened for holders of the Green Pass that shows they have had both doses of the vaccine or have recovered from COVID. For outdoor dining, however, the Green Pass is not required.
Cultural and sporting events, as well as conferences, are also allowed from now on under the Green Pass outline.
In addition, students in grades 7-10 in areas with low morbidity and high vaccination rates are now also able to attend school for at least two days a week, joining the rest of the country's schoolchildren who had already returned to class.