Israel’s government has decided to take a wait-and-see approach to alarming surges in COVID case numbers in Asia and Europe, but says a dangerous new strain is a “possibility.”
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz announce that facemask requirements will continue until Passover at least in response to fears of a new strain.
Officials will also check inventories of vaccines and drugs “ahead of the possibility of a severe coronavirus strain, should one be found,” according to a government statement.
No other major changes are announced.
Coronavirus case numbers in Israel remain relatively high, with some 5,800 new daily cases according to a seven-day rolling average. Over 300 people remain hospitalized in serious condition.
The death toll stands at 10,405, according to Health Ministry stats released Wednesday evening.
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
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