Posted on 08/02/21
| News Source: i24
Positive test rate decreases slightly as country ramps up booster campaign for older adults
The number of daily COVID-19 cases in Israel climbed to 2,114 on Monday, including three new deaths reported in the previous 24 hours, according to Health Ministry data.
The percentage of positive tests stood at 2.95 percent out of 72,220 tests administered, representing a slight decrease from Sunday's tally of 3.17 percent.
Of those infected, 212 were in serious condition with 46 of these patients listed as critical and 42 people on respirators.
The three new fatalities brought the overall death toll to 6,477 since the pandemic entered Israel.
On Sunday, Israel began vaccinating eligible older adults above the age of 60 with the booster shot with high demand, according the heads of the country's four health funds. To be eligible for the third vaccine dose, a person must have received their second dose more than five months ago.
A total of 30,700 older Israelis and immunocompromised Israelis got the third jab on Sunday. So far, about 45,000 Israelis have received the third dose.