Israel saw a sharp decline in the number of coronavirus-related deaths in the second half of February, health officials said Monday.
The Ministry of Health said that 2,393 people have died from coronavirus since the beginning of 2021, while 1,459 died of the disease in January and had a slight decrease in February. These numbers represent the average of 40 deaths per day.
In the first half of January, there were an average of 53 deaths due to COVID-19 per day, and the successful vaccination process that began in December is attributed to the reduction in deaths.
In fact, in the second half of February, the daily mortality rate dropped to 25 people a day with virus-related deaths.
These numbers are still considered high compared to the last month of 2020, when 488 people died from the virus. Average 16 deaths per day.
In November, 313 people died from COVID, indicating an average of 10 deaths per day, while October 2020 had 957 deaths, a daily average of 32 deaths due to complications from the virus.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, there was not only a decrease in deaths during February, but also in the number of serious cases of COVID-19 treated in hospitals.
The ministry said 742 people are currently in serious condition – the lowest number since January 2, 2021, representing a 43% reduction. Vaccines are once again credited for the decrease in severe disease caused by coronavirus.
As the ages of more than 60 become largely immune through vaccinations, the average age of seriously ill patients has dropped. As of Monday, it appears that 57.1% of the seriously ill patients suffering from COVID-19 are older than 60, while 40% are between the ages of 30 and 59.
One in five patients, 20.2%, are in the age group of 50 to 59 years, 10.7% are in their 40s, 7.4% in their 30s.
There are now 17 adults in a serious condition in their 20s and 15 teens and children are still being hospitalized with symptoms.
The Ministry of Health also reported on Monday that the factor indicating that community spread (R) had risen to 1, compared to 0.79 just two weeks ago, which raises concerns that the infection rate is rising again.
In the Arab sector, meanwhile, the R is even higher at 1.16, forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene a special meeting to discuss a low vaccination rate in Arab communities. The ultra-Orthodox community currently shows an R-factor of 0.82.
Israel began lifting its closure restrictions earlier this month, with shopping malls and shopping centers reopening last week. Mass-improvised Purim parties also took place over the weekend despite the night clock set during the three days of the holiday. This change in public behavior is seen by medical officials as a catalyst for greater infection.
Among those infected with the virus at a faster rate are younger populations, some of which show no symptoms.
Of all new infections on Sunday, 76.7% are under the age of 39 and only 5.2% are older than 60. A closer examination of the data shows that 43.4% of the new infections detected on Sunday are in the age group was 0-19.
Netanyahu posted in his Twitter post on Monday that 97% of recent deaths occurred in patients who did not receive two doses of coronavirus vaccine.
“I cannot tolerate the delegation of vaccines from cynical politicians. I have no tolerance for false news while fighting to save lives,” Netanyahu said in his post, calling on Israelis to be vaccinated.
There is one politician who has spoken out against vaccinations.
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MK Yifat Shasha-Biton, a political opponent of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is critical of dealing with the pandemic
(Photo: Kobi Quankas)
Netanyahu was questioned earlier Monday in an interview on Kan Radio about Israel approaching the death toll of the pandemic nearing 6,000 deaths. He responded with a derogatory remark directed at one of his current political opponents, former Likud lawmaker Yifat Shasha-Biton, who headed a Knesset oversight committee that blocked some of Netanyahu’s policies and criticized the handling of the pandemic.
“Ask Yifat Shasha-Biton,” Netanyahu said, mocking her name.
Yoaz Hendel, a former Netanyahu aide, and now with Shasha-Biton a member of Gideon Saar’s New Hope party, said in response that it was sad to hear the prime minister joke about so many Israeli deaths.