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 2,393 people have died from coronavirus since early 2021, with 1,459 succumbing to the disease in January and declining slightly, to 934 in February. These figures represent the average of 40 deaths per day.
In the first fortnight of January, there were an average of 53 deaths from COVID-19 per day and the success of the vaccination that began in December is credited with the reduction in fatalities.
In fact, in the second half of February, the average daily mortality rate fell to 25 people for virus-related deaths.
These figures are still considered high compared to the last month of 2020, when 488 people died due to the virus. An average of 16 deaths a day.
In November, 313 people died from COVID, indicating an average of 10 fatalities a day, while in October 2020 it recorded 957 fatalities, an average of 32 deaths a day as a result of the virus’s complications.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, there has been a reduction not only in fatalities during the month of 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 figure since January 2, 2021, representing a 43% reduction. Vaccines are being re-accredited for the decrease in serious diseases caused by coronavirus.
But as people over the age of 60 become largely immune through vaccines, the average age of seriously ill patients has declined. As of Monday, 57.1% of severe patients with COVID-19 appear to be over 60, while 40% are between 30 and 59 years old.
One in five patients, 20.2%, is in the age group of 50 to 59 years, 10.7% is 40 years old, 7.4% is 30 years old.
There are now 17 adults in serious condition at the age of twenty and 15 adolescents and children still hospitalized with symptoms.
The Ministry of Health also reported on Monday that the factor indicating the spread of the community (R) has increased to 1, compared to 0.79 just two weeks ago, which worries that the infection rate will rise once again.
Meanwhile, in the Arab sector, the R is even higher at 1.16, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene a special meeting to discuss low participation in vaccination in Arab communities. Currently, the ultra-Orthodox community shows an R factor of 0.82.
Israel began lifting blockade restrictions earlier this month, with the reopening of shopping malls and shopping malls last week. The weekend also saw massive impromptu Purim festivities despite the nocturnal curfew imposed during the three days of vacation. Medical officials consider this change in public behavior to be a catalyst for further infection.
Among the people infected at a faster rate are younger populations, some of which show no symptoms.
Of all the new infections on Sunday, 76.7% are under the age of 39 and only 5.2% are over the age of 60. A more detailed examination of the data shows that 43.4% of new infections detected on Sunday belonged to the 0-19 age group.
Netanyahu posted on his Twitter channel on Monday that 97% of recent deaths occurred in patients who had not received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
“I cannot stand the delegitimization of vaccines by cynical politicians. I have zero tolerance for false news, as I fight to save lives,” Netanyahu said in his message, urging Israelis to get vaccinated.
There is a politician who has spoken out against vaccines.
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MK Yifat Shasha-Biton, a political opponent of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been critical of his treatment of the pandemic
(Photo: Kobi Quankas)
In an interview on Kan radio earlier Monday, Netanyahu was asked about Israel’s nearly 6,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. He responded with a derogatory comment addressed to one of his now political opponents, former Likud lawmaker Yifat Shasha-Biton, who headed a Knesset oversight committee that has blocked some of Netanyahu’s policies and had criticized the its treatment of the pandemic.
“Ask Yifat Shasha-Biton,” Netanyahu said, mocking his name.
Yoaz Hendel, former Netanyahu’s aide and now along with Shasha-Biton, a member of Gideon Saar’s New Hope party, said in response that it is sad to hear the prime minister joking about so many Israeli deaths.