Zarka says it's too early to ease restrictions as Health Ministry reportedly considers canceling mask mandate in light of waning fifth wave

Eran Segal says half of Israel's population likely to be infected in Omicron-driven wave; transmission rate hits 4-month low

Health Ministry may lift recommendation to mask at outdoor gatherings; transmission rate, new daily case numbers continue to fall

1,123 hospitalized in serious condition; 36,835 new cases diagnosed Wednesday, bringing active cases to 324,802

Biden's medical advisor says new treatments and vaccines will make virus 'more manageable'; UK's Johnson says measure to ditch isolations will only take effect if infections low

Health official says exit from latest wave likely to take weeks; 1,161 hospitalized in serious condition; transmission rate drops to 0.79 — lowest since October

Nitzan Horowitz says Omicron surge led to crisis, rather than calls by hardline religious groups not to give blood to MDA over forms referring to 'parent 1 and 'parent 2'

Health Ministry official calls statistic 'disturbing,' but Education Ministry official claims plan is working

Donations to Magen David Adom drop sharply over last month; organization blames virus surge, but has also been hit by controversy over change on form meant to be LGBTQ inclusive

Israelis no longer have to flash pass at restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and hotels, but will still have to at events and dance clubs, even as serious cases continue to climb