Almost three weeks into Israel's second coronavirus lockdown, the Health Ministry reported Wednesday morning that the country's infection rate stood at 10.5%, the lowest in more than a week - signalling an ongoing decline in the number of new daily cases.
There were 4,674 new diagnoses on Tuesday, out of 46,500 tests conducted. At present, 278,585 people are infected with coronavirus in Israel.
Another 31 virus-related fatalities were reported, however, bringing the national death toll to 1,803.
Out of the 61,606 patients currently battling the disease, 855 are in serious condition, with 223 connected to ventilators.
Health Ministry Director General Professor Hezi Levi confirmed to Ynet on Wednesday that rate of new infections appeared to be on the decline.
"Still we must maintain vigilance," he said as he expressed cautious optimism.
Levi said contagion rates among the ultra-Orthodox communities are still high as health officials attempt to enlist religious leaders to call for their flocks to adhere to health directives.
On Tuesday night, 17 Haredi protesters were arrested during clashes with police in the Mea She'arim neighborhood of Jerusalem.
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Police clash with rioters in Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox Mea She'arim neighborhood
(Photo: Israel Police)
Levi also condemned violations of lockdown restrictions by public figures and their families after Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was revealed to have summoned her hairstylist to the official residence last week in complete contradiction of directives.