COVID-19 in Israel: 15,600 new cases, Bennett tests positive 

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced on Monday morning that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, adding that he felt well and would continue working from his home throughout the isolation.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a cabinet meeting, March 20, 2022. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a cabinet meeting, March 20, 2022.
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

Some 15,600 new daily coronavirus infections were recorded in Israel on Sunday, with 22.08% of 70,461 PCR and antigen tests returning a positive result, the Health Ministry reported Monday.

There are currently 290 patients in serious condition, with 135 of them in critical condition, including 114 who are intubated and 20 who are connected to ECMO machines. Another 69 patients are hospitalized in moderate condition, and 420 are hospitalized in mild condition.

The R-rate was at 1.28, slightly lower than the past few days, when it was briefly over 1.4.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Monday said he had tested positive for coronavirus, adding that he felt well and would continue working from his home throughout the isolation period.

Bennett met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jerusalem on Sunday. Blinken will test for COVID-19 as a result of Bennett’s positive result, State Department spokesman Ned Price was quoted by Reuters as saying.

 Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai visits at a temporary roadblock on Highway 1 outside Jerusalem (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai visits at a temporary roadblock on Highway 1 outside Jerusalem (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Israel Police Insp.-Gen. Kobi Shabtai also tested positive and said he was feeling well. Along with Bennett, Shabtai was expected to take part in a remote situational assessment following Sunday’s terrorist attack in Hadera.