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The death toll from coronaviruses in Israel has exceeded 7,000, Health Ministry statistics showed Monday evening, marking a grim reminder of the human toll caused by the new COVID-19 attack.
According to the latest figures, 7,043 Israelis with COVID-19 have died since the start of the pandemic. Israel’s first COVID-related death was recorded in March 2020, and a year later the country marked its 6,000th death.
Israel went several weeks without death in May as a vaccination campaign stopped the infections, but in recent weeks death figures have skyrocketed. More than 550 people died from COVID in August, including more than 100 in the past five days alone.
On average over the past month, 18 people with COVID-19 died per day and 24 deaths were recorded on Sunday. During the entire month of June, only seven deaths from COVID were recorded.
Globally, the death toll from the virus stands at nearly 4.5 million, according to the World Health Organization.
Earlier Monday, figures from the Department of Health showed the highest positivity rate among those tested for the virus since mid-February on Sunday. Of the 91,051 tests carried out on Sunday, 7.81% came back positive, compared to a positivity rate of 5.38% two weeks ago and 2.84% a month ago.
Meanwhile, healthcare providers continue their rapid rollout of vaccine boosters, after third doses have been approved for the general population over 12 years of age. As of Sunday evening, 2,102,426 Israelis – nearly 23 percent of the population – had received a third vaccine.
Among 70-79 year olds, more than 80% received a booster, compared to 66% of 60-69 year olds and 49% of 50-59 year olds. More than 16% of Israelis between the ages of 30 and 39 – who became eligible for the third dose less than a week ago – have already received the vaccine.
Researchers and health ministry officials said the booster-dose campaign was already helping to stem the rise in new severe COVID cases, although daily infections show little sign of decline, and some expect that the numbers increase further after schools across the country opened on Wednesday.
Health ministry officials said on Sunday that boosters were available for anyone who received their second dose of the vaccine at least five months ago.
Officials also revealed that from October 1, the “Green Pass” system – which allows entry to most public places for vaccinated or recovered people – would only apply for six months after the second or third. the third dose.
Stuart Winer contributed to this report.
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