Covid-19: Israel records no daily deaths for the first time in 10 monthson April 24, 2021 at 1:43 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The drop in deaths is seen as a promising sign as Israel vaccinates more than 50% of its population.

A teenager receives a vaccination against the coronavirus disease

image copyrightReuters

Israel has recorded no new daily Covid-19 deaths for the first time in 10 months, as the country pushes ahead with its speedy vaccination drive.

The country’s coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 6,346 on Thursday, health ministry data showed.

The last time Israel reported zero Covid-19 deaths was at the end of June last year, after lockdown measures curbed a first wave of infections.

Israel’s outbreak has eased after hitting its peak in January this year.

The Israeli government started to relax lockdown restrictions a month later as vaccinations against Covid-19 were rolled out more widely.

Israel has the highest vaccination rate in the world. On Thursday, the country reached the milestone of five million Covid-19 vaccinations.

Chart showing vaccine doses per 100 people in countries where the population is over one million
1px transparent line

The health ministry said more than 53% of the country’s population of about nine million people had received two doses of vaccine.

“This is a tremendous achievement for the health system and Israeli citizens. Together we are eradicating the coronavirus,” Health Minister Yuli Edelstein tweeted on Friday.

Last week Eyal Leshem, a director at Israel’s largest hospital, the Sheba Medical Center, said the country may be close to reaching “herd immunity”.

Herd immunity happens when enough of a population has protection against an infection, thus stopping it from spreading.

World Health Organization (WHO) experts have estimated that at least 65%-70% of a population need vaccination coverage before herd immunity is reached.

Mr Leshem said herd immunity was the “only explanation” for Israel’s continued fall in cases as more restrictions were lifted.

“There is a continuous decline despite returning to near normalcy,” he said.

“This tells us that even if a person is infected, most people they meet walking around won’t be infected by them.”

bar chart: cases falling and mobility rising in Israel
1px transparent line

Israel began its vaccination campaign last December and since then, it has been the leading nation globally for the number of doses per head of population.

The country has so far relied on only the two-shot vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. In February, Israel’s health ministry said studies revealed the risk of illness from the virus had dropped 95.8% among people who have had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

The country is preparing to start vaccinating children aged 12-15 as soon as the US Food and Drugs Administration, a regulator, approves vaccine use for people in that age bracket.

But while Israel has surged ahead with its vaccination programme, the Palestinian territories have lagged behind.

In March, the Palestinians received the first shipment of about 60,000 vaccines doses under the international Covax vaccine-sharing scheme.

1px transparent line
- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

F1 to double number of ‘sprint’ events to six next seasonon September 27, 2022 at 3:28 pm

Formula 1 will double the number of 'sprint' events to six next year following a vote by the FIA's World Council.Formula 1 will double...

Premiership: Harlequins 27-30 Saracens – Sarries win dramatic derbyon September 17, 2022 at 4:37 pm

Saracens battle back from 17-0 down to beat Harlequins in a thrilling London derby at Twickenham Stoop.Saracens battle back from 17-0 down to beat...

Belfast: Police attacked as trouble flareson April 7, 2021 at 7:31 pm

A bus is also hijacked and a press photographer assaulted during the disorder.image copyrightPacemakerPolice have come under attack and a bus has been hijacked...

Man City 6-3 Man Utd: Erik ten Hag criticises ‘unacceptable’ lack of beliefon October 2, 2022 at 3:55 pm

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his side "let the fans down" in an "unacceptable" 6-3 defeat by rivals Manchester City.Manchester United manager...

The Papers: ‘Anger as fans boo William’ and ‘Rishi ready to help’on May 15, 2022 at 1:14 am

The papers cover outrage after the FA Cup final and the chancellor's promise to help with the cost of living.The papers cover outrage after...