Daily Covid numbers hit record high in Israel ahead of school return

Jerusalem, Aug 31 (EFE).- Israel on Tuesday detected nearly 11,000 Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, setting a new record since the beginning of the pandemic just a day before schools are due to return.

Health authorities picked up 10,947 positive cases from 151,000 tests, setting an infection rate of roughly 7.56%, a new daily high since March 2020.

The previous record-breaking peak in Israel came on January 18 this year with 10,118 daily cases. At the time, the positivity rate was 10% and there were 1,165 serious cases of Covid-19, much more than today.

The new Covid-19 figures were published just 24 hours before 2.5 million Israeli school students are due to return to class, a move approved by the government Monday night.

In recent days authorities have carried out serological tests on students to paint an accurate picture of the coronavirus situation in that age group and the government continues to promote vaccines for the over 12s.

There are currently 91,000 children who have been told to isolate after testing positive or coming into contact with someone who was infected, local press reported. The average infection rate among students is 10% and among teachers 9.2%.

Israel, home to one of the world’s fastest vaccine campaigns, on Sunday opened up booster shots for anyone over 12. Since the booster rollout began in July, initially for older people and those with underlying conditions, 2.1 million Israelis have had a third shot.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Israel has recorded over a million Covid-19 cases and more than 7,000 related deaths.EFE

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