While Israel’s COVID-19 reproduction number spiked again on Monday, hovering again above 1 for the first time in weeks.
The Health Ministry said the “R” number - which indicates how many people on average a single COVID patient infects - stood at 0.95 only a day earlier.
The ministry reported that 7,686 people tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday. After 157,412 COVID tests had been conducted, Israel's contagion rate has decreased to 5.24% - compared to 6.60% just a day before - the lowest it has been in months.
The country’s number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients has also seen a slight drop and now stands at 691.
The number of people in Israel who died due to COVID-19 related complications since the start of the pandemic reached 7,384 on Monday.
The ministry added that despite the reopening of schools, "only" 42,000 students have been forced to stay in isolation due to being diagnosed with COVID, while 108,000 have been forced into isolation due to exposure to a verified patient.
According to the data, 14% of those diagnosed as COVID patients on Sunday were aged 12-18, while 27% were aged 19-39. These age groups also have recorded the lowest booster vaccination rates.
The ministry added that 4% of those found positive for the pathogen on Sunday were aged 60 and over, while 41% were under the age of 11 - an age group that is not eligible to receive the vaccine at this stage.
Among those tested positive for coronavirus Sunday, 59 were pilgrims who returned from Rosh Hashanah celebrations in the Ukrainian city of Uman. Over 1,600 pilgrims have thus far tested positive for coronavirus.
According to the Health Ministry, of all COVID patients in critical condition 446 have not been vaccinated at all, 166 received both doses of the vaccine, and 58 received both jabs and the booster.
Among critically ill patients aged 60 and over, where the rate of vaccination is highest, 245 have not been vaccinated, 112 have received both doses and 48 received both doses and the booster.
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An elderly man prepares to receive the third jab of the COVID vaccine in Tel Aviv
(Photo; Moti Kimchi)
The ministry added that unvaccinated aged 60 and over are 40 times more likely to develop a serious illness due to COVID compared to those who received all three doses in the same age group.
Israel has also started offering influenza vaccines ahead of flu season and experts warn of a combined infection wave of both flu and COVID in the coming months.
Hospitals, meanwhile, warn of overcrowding in their inpatient wards due to the expected influx of both flu and COVID patients.
While similar predictions were also given last season - which ended with zero casualties due to influenza - experts assess that this year may see a significant increase in the number of flu cases throughout the country.