Israel’s Health Ministry confirmed 834 new coronavirus cases on Motzei Shabbos in the previous 24 hours, with tests showing a 4.5% positivity rate.

The number of seriously ill patients dropped to 689, with 238 on ventilators. The ministry reported 26 deaths over Shabbos, raising the death toll to 2,167.

The coronavirus infection rate across the country has been steadily declining including in red zones, with several zones even being removed from the list in recent days, including Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Malachi, and a number of neighborhoods in Jerusalem.

The current red zones are Bnei Brak, Beitar Illit, Modiin Illit, and the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Ramat Eshkol, Maalot Dafna, Mattesdorf, and Ramat Shlomo.

The red zones will remain in full lockdown until Wednesday at midnight but an exception is being made for preschools and daycares, which will be allowed to reopen in the red zones on Sunday along with the rest of the country.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)