At the outset of a cabinet hearing dealing with new coronavirus restrictions, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warns of the ultra-contagious new Omicron variant.
“The bad news is that the Omicron in Israel is advancing exactly according to our expectations and predictions,” Bennett says. “We’re doubling the new cases.”
“Within a week and a half we will know the seriousness of this variant,” he adds. “The decision is between easy restrictions now versus difficult steps later.”
Earlier today, the Health Ministry announced 170 new Omicron cases in Israel, bringing the total to 340. While overall case rates are rising, so far serious cases and hospitalizations have remained low.
Bennett says he hopes health officials will soon approve a fourth dose of the vaccine for relevant populations to protect against infection and serious disease.
Health Ministry official Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis responds that the issue is under consideration, but that it’s a serious decision.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
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