The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday warned United States citizens of traveling to Israel due to the country's “very high level” of COVID infections.
According to the CDC, Israel is at "Level 4" - meaning at the highest level of risk from COVID - due to the unabated spread of the Omicron and the consequent spike in COVID infections all throughout the country.
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People arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport amid the Omicron wave
(Photo: AP)
“If you must travel to Israel, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel,” the CDC stated. “Because of the current situation in Israel, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID variants."
Gaza and the West Bank were alongside Israel in the CDC’s updated travel advisory of the highest level of travel concerns, including Egypt, Germany, the United Kingdom, as well as some 20 other countries worldwide.
The CDC's recommendation came shortly after Health Ministry Director-General Prof. Nachman Ash reported that some 71,593 new COVID cases were diagnosed in Israel on Tuesday - a new daily record since the onset of the pandemic.
Ash added, however, that due to technical limitations, the Health Ministry was unable to review all tests conducted Tuesday, meaning that the number of verified is likely three times higher than the official number.
The Health Ministry reported that there are currently 498 COVID patients hospitalized in critical condition, a 10% increase compared to last Sunday, when 446 serious cases were reported.
I24NEWS contributed to this story