The Health Ministry said 5,523 coronavirus diagnoses were reported on Tuesday, breaking yet again the record of new daily cases.
The ministry reported on Wednesday morning that with 57,165 tests conducted, the contagion rate remains at a disturbing 10%.
At least 1,153 COVID-19 patients are being treated in hospitals, a record-breaking figure, with 535 remaining in a serious condition and 138 requiring ventilator support.
The death toll from coronavirus-related complications has increased to 1,147.
The number of active patients currently ill with the disease now stands at 40,689, with the tally of confirmed carriers since the start of the outbreak increasing to 166,794.
Jerusalem over the past seven days reported the highest number of new diagnoses with 3,034 cases, followed by Bnei Brak with 1,549, Ashdod with 886, Petah Tikva with 636 and Modi'in Illit with 622.
In the meantime, early Wednesday ministers voted to shut down the education system a day before another nationwide lockdown is set to take place. All education facilities will now be closed starting Thursday morning, apparently in the wake of a spike in infection at schools and kindergartens.
Coronavirus czar, Prof. Ronni Gamzu earlier urged the government to close the education system as soon as Wednesday morning in order to curb the spread of infection.