A quarter of serious COVID-19 patients are under the age of 60

Almost a quarter of the serious COVID-19 patients currently in hospitals are under the age of 60, the Ynet news site reports, citing Health Ministry data.

The number of coronavirus patients in serious condition topped 1,000 today, the first time hospitals in Israel have held that many since the start of the pandemic.

As the third wave of the pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on the country, the Health Ministry reports a record 1,029 serious cases, an increase of 36 in the previous 24 hours and nearly 300 in a week.

According to the reported data, 76% of the serious patients are aged 60 and up: 6.3% are 90 and up, 21.3% are aged 80-89, 26.7% are 70-79, and 22.7% are 60-69.

Some 14.6% of the patients are aged 50-59, 5.4% are aged 40-49, and 2.1% are aged 30-39.

Also in serious condition are three men and one woman in their 20s, three teenage girls, and two girls younger than 10.