Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on residents Sunday to get a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine and to respect preventive measures as the number of infections continue to climb.
“Everything possible is being done to avoid lockdowns, which are destructive tools for our livelihood, for the economy, and for the education of our children,” he wrote on his Facebook page late Saturday.
He added that lockdowns are a last resort due to the economic repercussions which cost Israel large financial losses.
Meanwhile, the number of patients in serious condition passed 500 for the first time since last spring.
Bennett said: “Our goal is simple: to preserve the health of the citizens of Israel, and also to preserve the economic future of the State of Israel.”
The Health Minister recorded 4,145 new cases on Saturday, with testing rates lower on weekends. Israel registered around 6,000 daily infections during the past few days.
The PM said that Israelis could help prevent a new wave of the pandemic if they wear masks and get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Israel became the first country in the world to begin administering booster shots to citizens aged above 60.
Last Friday, it began giving third doses to people older than 50. As of Saturday evening, 813,216 people in Israel have received the booster.
