Salman Zarka says he cannot promise that a lockdown will not become necessary if hospitals are overwhelmed

Data shows that though new case numbers are breaking records, serious illness and deaths still lower than rates in past waves; over 400,000 tests carried out, nearly 12% positive

COVID still climbing, with 43,815 new cases detected, but no major rise in serious cases; of 257 serious cases, there are 64 people on ventilators and a further 12 on ECMO machines

6 coalition members -- including two ministers -- and 8 opposition MKs are isolating after testing positive, as UTJ's Yitzhak Pindrus and Religious Zionism's Ofir Sofer join list

Tests that wholesale for 6-10 shekels are marketed for up to 35 shekels; MK Ali Salalha is proposing a law to place home kits under price control

Seriously ill patients stable at 254; positive test rate climbs to 12.09%; MK Ofir Sofer catches virus

UN health agency says majority of cases driven by Omicron, numbers rising even further after a 'tsunami' of disease last week

Palestinian affairs reporter Aaron Boxerman spotlights hot-button issues for Arab Israelis; health reporter Nathan Jeffay describes Omicron as a very different coronavirus wave

As Israel administers fourth dose of vaccine to the elderly and immunosuppressed, EMA official says move likely ineffective

Beds are likely to fill up within two weeks, says ward director; he pleads with parents not to be flippant about variant, saying even if illness is mild, long COVID is a concern