Israel on Wednesday reported over 10,000 new single-day COVID-19 cases for the third day in a row as the pandemic continues its resurgence in the country.
The Health Ministry said 13,384 people were diagnosed with COVID on Tuesday, and after 77,500 tests were conducted, the positivity rate now stands at 17.2%.
The virus' basic reproduction number, R, continues to rise and currently stands at 1.39 - indicating the community spread of the pathogen.
Despite the increase in cases, the number of Israelis in serious condition from coronavirus complications continues to decline and now stands at 300. Additionally, there is a decrease in the number of patients on ventilators, which now stands at 119.
However, the last infection wave showed a spike in severe cases only two weeks after cases began to rise.
Since the pandemic broke out, COVID complications have claimed the lives of 10,449 people in Israel, two of which passed away on Tuesday. In March, 203 COVID patients have died.
Israel is currently has 64,271 active COVID cases, most of whom are suffering from mild symptoms. Among them, 5,420 live in Tel Aviv, 2,672 in Jerusalem, 2,530 in Haifa, 2,334 in Rishon Lezion, and 2,315 in Petah Tikva.
In Tel Aviv-Yafo, the number of active cases rose by 68% in a week, in Jerusalem by 66%, in Haifa by 70%, and in Rishon Lezion by a whopping 88%. Smaller cities are seeing even higher increase in infection rates, with Tiberias experiencing the most alarming spike with 176%.
Simultaneously, at least 138 Israelis received the first dose of the vaccine on Tuesday, marking the highest number of newly vaccinated since February 22nd. Nonetheless, these are still relatively low numbers in comparison to those seen in January.
More so, 480 Israelis received the booster shot on Tuesday, also the highest number Israel has seen since the end of February. Similarly, 1,751 people received the fourth dose of the vaccine on Tuesday.