The Health Ministry on Friday said that 5,238 new cases were confirmed with COVID-19 with a record breaking 153 patients, 10 more than the previous day, on ventilators.
There are 46,370 people infected by the virus, 1190 of them hospitalized for treatment, with 577 described as seriously ill.
The number of daily tests has continued to rise with 56,986 tests conducted since Thursday.
Thus far, 1,169 people have died from coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
A nation-wide lockdown will come into effect at 2 pm in the government's attempt to reduce the rampant spread of the disease.
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A police roadblock meant to restrict public's movement during the lockdown
(Photo: Police Spokesperson)
The lockdown has been criticized for being too lax and enabling Israelis to work, shop and worship.
Despite an increased presence of police and an the addition of hundreds of IDF soldiers to be deployed in the enforcement of lockdown restrictions, businesses as well as some members of the public have warned they would ignore directives having lost faith in the leadership and its ability to implement policy based on advice from medical experts and devoid of political pressure.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the government will consider further tightening of restrictions.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns of more stringent restrictions to be imposed after the Hight Holidays
(Photo: GPO)
"I estimate that in light of the current state of the disease and according to experts' recommendations, we may have no choice but to tighten restrictions," the premier said in a televised announcement from his residence. "I'll tell you this. I will not impose a lockdown on the citizens of Israel for nothing and I will not hesitate to add more restrictions if necessary."
Netanyahu stressed that the upcoming 3-week lockdown that corresponds with the High Holidays follows a "red flag" raised by the health care system against the backdrop of a dramatic spike in coronavirus cases in recent days.