The Health Ministry said on Thursday evening that since midnight and up to 6 pm, 20,381 people were confirmed with COVID-19.
Out of the 886 people hospitalized with the virus, 287 are considered in serious condition and 69 of them on ventilators.
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The coronavirus ward at the Rabin Medical Center in Petach Tikva
(Photo: Rabin Medical Center PR)
On Thursday, 89 patients joint the seriously ill tally, the highest daily number since September and most in the over 60 population.
Earlier reports on Thursday showed 54 children were being treated for COVID in hospitals, fewer than the relative hospitalized children in other countries.
Prime Minister Bennett instructed pediatric hospital chiefs to prepare for a surge in child morbidity despite Israel's efforts to treat children infected by the virus in the community, through the countries main HMOs.
Since the start of the pandemic, 8,293 people have succumbed to the virus, 41 of them since the beginning of January. In December 50 people died.
According to the ministry, nearly half a million people have already received the fourth dose of vaccine, most of them over the age of 60.
Data collected by the ministry showed that most positive tests for COVID came from ultra-Orthodox communities.
In some the percentage of infections stood on over 30% compared to the 10% to 12% national average.