Record 964 Israelis hospitalized in serious condition for COVID

The number of Israelis hospitalized in serious condition for COVID-19 rises to 964, a record since the start of the pandemic, as infections continue to surge after tightened lockdown measures took effect.

According to the Health Ministry, 7,808 new coronavirus cases were recorded yesterday, which along with another 2,998 since midnight brings the total number of infections confirmed in Israel since the pandemic began to 484,083.

There were 68,766 active cases, with 236 of those in serious condition on ventilators. Another 270 were in moderate condition and the rest have mild or no symptoms.

The death toll stood at 3,633, with 46 fatalities recorded yesterday.

The ministry said 119,309 tests were conducted yesterday, with 6.5 percent coming back positive. So far today, 51,393 tests were performed, 5.8% of which were positive.