Israel sees highest infection level in months

The number of new coronavirus infections in Israel has risen to its highest level in two months as 2,891 new cases were recorded within 24 hours, the ministry of health said on Thursday.

In the Gaza Strip, the number of new infections exceeded the 1,000-mark for the first time.

According to the Palestinian ministry of health, 1,015 new cases have been recorded in the densely populated coastal strip.

New restrictions were planned in Israel if the number of daily infections exceeded 2,500.

Reports say that if the measures do not significantly reduce the number of new infections within three weeks, a new partial lockdown would be imposed.

The government also plans to start a vaccination campaign on Sunday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be the first to be vaccinated on Saturday evening.

Health Minister Juli Edelstein reiterated on Wednesday that vaccinated people would receive a “green passport” that confers specific advantages, for instance avoiding quarantine requirements, attending public events and going to restaurants.

The passport is to be handed out two weeks after the second coronavirus vaccination.

Reports say that the number of infections in Israel increased massively after a comparatively mild situation in summer, partly due to a premature relaxation of the rules.

In mid-September, the government imposed a second lockdown that significantly lowered the numbers.

The government has been gradually easing the rules since mid-October, with infections rising again since then.