Over 14,000 new virus cases as transmission rate continues to climb

A man is tested in Modiin, March 21, 2022 (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
A man is tested in Modiin, March 21, 2022 (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

The Health Ministry says 14,460 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed yesterday, some 1,500 more than the day before.

Experts believe the resurgence is most likely caused by the Omicron subvariant BA.2, which is thought to be more infectious. It is still unknown if it causes more serious illness.

The ministry says 16.64 percent of test samples collected yesterday returned a positive result.

Israel’s R number — the transmission rate of the virus — continues its steady climb, reaching 1.33.

The transmission rate represents the number of people each confirmed patient infects, on average. Any number over 1 signifies that the pandemic is growing. It is based on data from 10 days earlier.

The ministry says 320 people are hospitalized in serious condition — a slight decrease.

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