Two More Israeli Cities Classified as 'Orange' as Coronavirus Infections Rise
Modi'in and Kochav Yair have seen a dramatic rise in coronavirus cases, as positive tests have reached eight percent and two percent respectively
Two Israeli cities, Modi'in and Kochav Yair have been classed as "orange" under Israel's so-called traffic light system for tracking levels of coronavirus infection, as the number of cases in these communities have risen dramatically.
The positivity rate of coronavirus tests in Kochav Yair was eight percent, and two percent in Modi'in.
On Thursday, the city of Binyamina was classified as "red" under the Health Ministry's classification system, the first time an Israeli city had been classed as such since March 30.
Two hundred and twenty-nine positive coronavirus tests were recorded in Israel on Friday. Twenty-six patients were in serious condition, with 16 on ventilators, according to the Health Ministry.
On Sunday, the coronavirus cabinet will reconvene for the first time since the new government was established. Cabinet members are expected to discuss a plan to stop the rise in coronavirus infections, largely attributed to the new delta variant.
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Following the rise in coronavirus infections in Israel in recent weeks, Israel reinstated the mask-wearing mandate in indoor spaces on Friday.
Local authorities will be largely responsible for enforcing the mask mandate by giving out fines, as police will focus on enforcing quarantine restrictions.