But report says spread of new variant could end up being greater but go unrecorded under new testing rules; senior official: 12% of cases among people who previously had COVID

Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis says Health Ministry trying to 'lessen the force' of current COVID outbreak but warns 'it will be a high wave'

Officials looking to fix rules amid fears hundreds of thousands will be sent to quarantine; Liberman: Hysteria worse than virus

In leaked recordings, Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis says new fast-spreading variant could cause major problems for more than a million Israelis who do not have booster shots

Salman Zarka says traces of Omicron found in sewage systems, while Sharon Alroy-Preis emphasizes need for vaccines as health officials address joint panel at Knesset

Decision will go into effect overnight Thursday to allow more time for Israelis abroad to return, Health Ministry says

Health minister says more nations to soon be labeled 'red,' as senior official warns against flying abroad: 'Whoever is planning to travel... is likely to enter full quarantine'

Raz Nizri tells Knesset panel that while tool shouldn't be used on civilians, 'every rule has an exception'; ministers advance law letting program go on past Thursday

Nitzan Horowitz justifies his backing of controversial Shin Bet tracking for those infected, says use will be carefully monitored; Israel confirms its 2nd Omicron case

Prime minister tells first coronavirus cabinet meeting in months that large gatherings may be banned if morbidity rises, floats antigen testing in school