Israel's COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Cases Exceed 50%

According to the Israeli Health Ministry COVID-19 data dashboard on August 11, 2021, the number of serious COVID-19 cases reached 405 yesterday, the highest one-day total since March 2021.

Furthermore, about 250 of these patients were fully vaccinated, known as a 'breakthrough case,' reported Haaretz News.

Israel's real-time map displays where COVID-19 cases are reported.

Previously, the Ministry of Health launched a booster vaccination campaign for senior citizens.

As of August 8th, out of about 600,000 individuals vaccinated with the third COVID-19 vaccine dose (the booster dose), fewer than 50 cases of side effects around the time of vaccination have been reported so far by the Ministry of Health.

Additionally, Haaretz reported the Israeli government is forecasting that the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 could double every 10 days.

In reaction to this projection, Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz agreed on August 10th to add new health care positions each time the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients doubles. In addition, Israel's government intends to provide about $773 million to fund the “booster shot” for hospitals initiative, reported the Time of Israel.

“We are preparing for a significant increase in the number of severe patients,” the prime minister stated. “Our goal is to double the capacity of the healthcare system.”

To alert US citizens of the current COVID-19 outbreak in Israel, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a very-high level Travel Advisory for Israel, West Bank, and Gaza on August 9, 2021. The new CDC Advisory says, 'avoid travel to Israel.'

'Because of the current situation in Israel, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants. Therefore, if you must travel to Israel, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel. And, travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart from others.'

The CDC says 'all air passengers coming to the USA, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the USA.'

Note: Updated on August 20, 2021, to include data source.